papal

[pey-puh l]

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adjective

of or relating to the pope or the papacy: a papal visit to Canada.

of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.

Origin of papal

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word pāpālis. See pope, -al¹

Related formspa·pal·ly, adverban·ti·pa·pal, adjectivenon·pa·pal, adjectivepseu·do·pa·pal, adjectiveun·pa·pal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for papal

pontifical, apostolic

Examples from the Web for papal

Contemporary Examples of papal

Congress is now 92 percent Christian, resembling more to a papal enclave than our religiously diverse nation.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress
Dean Obeidallah
January 8, 2015
He held intrigue for journalists converging for the transition of papal power.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF
Jason Berry
December 21, 2014
The papal view of lawmaking on Capitol Hill is unknown, but Congress you have been warned.
Pope’s Blistering Attack on ‘Haggard’ Europe
Nico Hines
November 26, 2014
In the Papal States Napoleon stopped the Jews having to wear the Papal star.
Napoleon Was a Dynamite Dictator
J.P. O’Malley
November 7, 2014
The holy listicle serves as further proof that the 2013 papal conclave elected Oprah as the new pope.
Call Him ‘Poprah’: Pope Francis’s 10 Commandments for a Happy Life
Asawin Suebsaeng
July 31, 2014

Historical Examples of papal

He enjoys the privileges of a papal offspring, and there is no sanctuary he will respect.
The Strolling Saint
Raphael Sabatini
Now, Cesare, being a duke, resents a cousin's being a papal legate.
The Life of Cesare Borgia
Raphael Sabatini
Matters were at this stage when Alexander VI ascended the papal throne.
The Life of Cesare Borgia
Raphael Sabatini
The English people are waiting for their turn while Papal behests are executed.
Ireland as It Is
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
Britannia is the humble, obedient servant of Papal Hibernia.
Ireland as It Is
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)

British Dictionary definitions for papal

papal

adjective

of or relating to the pope or the papacy

Derived Formspapally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for papal

adj.

late 14c., from Old French papal (late 14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin papalis "pertaining to the pope," from papa (see pope).