Holy See

American  

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. the see of Rome; the office or jurisdiction of the pope.

2. the papal court.

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Holy See British  

noun

1. the see of the pope as bishop of Rome and head of the Church

2. the Roman curia

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Holy See Cultural  

1. In the Roman Catholic Church, the official name for the jurisdiction of the pope (the word see is from the Latin for “seat”).

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Etymology

Origin of Holy See

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

Whether successful or not, strong words from the holy see would help to dispel the impressiont that the entire Christian West was lining up to impose its will on the lands where Islam prevailed.

From Economist • Jul. 9, 2018

Some Americans have proposed that Demetrios move the holy see to one of three sites in Greece already under his jurisdiction: Rhodes, Crete or the spectacular monastery complex atop Mount Athos.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is the holy see of the Nuwaubians.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was stipulated in a preliminary article, that the duke of Alva should publicly ask pardon, and receive absolution, for having borne arms against the holy see.

From History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, Vols. 1 and 2 by Prescott, William Hickling

Such was the constant practice of the holy see during thirty years after the establishment of the Inquisition in Spain.

From The History of the Inquisition of Spain from the Time of its Establishment to the Reign of Ferdinand VII. by Llorente, Juan Antonio