nihil obstat

American  

[nahy-hil ob-stat, nee-] / ˈnaɪ hɪl ˈɒb stæt, ˈni- /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. permission to publish a book, granted by an official censor who, upon examining it, has certified that it contains nothing contrary to faith or morals.

---

nihil obstat British  

/ ˈɒbstæt /

1. the phrase used by a Roman Catholic censor to declare publication inoffensive to faith or morals

---

Etymology

Origin of nihil obstat

1885–90; < Latin: literally, nothing stands in the way

Example Sentences

Attracted by her plan for saving scarce land and even scarcer money, the city sounded out the Vatican, received an immediate nihil obstat.

From Time Magazine Archive

No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat and imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed.

From Moral Theology A Complete Course Based on St. Thomas Aquinas and the Best Modern Authorities by Callan, Charles Jerome

I mean it depends on his permission; his imprimatur; his nihil obstat.

From Alarms and Discursions by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)