Vatican

[vat-i-kuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR Vatican ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Also called Vatican Palace. the chief residence of the popes in Vatican City, now also including a library, archives, art museum, apartments, and administrative offices.

the authority and government of the pope (distinguished from the Quirinal).

Origin of Vatican

1545–55; < Latin vātīcānus (mōns) Vatican (hill)

Vatican II

noun

Second Vatican Council.

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

Related Words for vatican

pontiff, pontifical, see, legate, popery, vicegerent, papacy, vatican, nuncio, popedom, popish

Examples from the Web for vatican

Contemporary Examples of vatican

Angelina Jolie was able to seemingly glide into the Vatican on Thursday to present her new film ‘Unbroken.’
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 8, 2015
Lee and Coogan did briefly meet with the pope, with pictures to prove it, but no one at the Vatican officially screened the film.
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 8, 2015
Undeterred by the snub in November, and denied a visa to Italy, Agca made plans for clandestine travel to Vatican City.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit
Barbie Latza Nadeau
December 29, 2014
He has put flowers on the tomb of John Paul II,” said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, “I think that is enough.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit
Barbie Latza Nadeau
December 29, 2014
His words apply not only to the Roman Curia at the Vatican but to the entire Church throughout the world.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'
Barbie Latza Nadeau
December 23, 2014

Historical Examples of vatican

To-day at the Vatican, he keeps on a footing of diplomatic reserve.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
Well, it is all over with you, your Vatican and your St. Peter's.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
After long wanderings he reached the Vatican, studied and became famous.
Self-Help
Samuel Smiles
Secured permission of the Pope to give an exhibition in the Vatican.
Who Was Who: 5000 B. C. to Date
Anonymous
When the Castle went over to the King the connection with the Vatican was cut off.
The Eternal City
Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for vatican

Vatican

noun

the palace of the popes in Rome and their principal residence there since 1377, which includes administrative offices, a library, museum, etc, and is attached to the basilica of St Peter's
(as modifier)the Vatican Council

the authority of the Pope and the papal curia
(as modifier)a Vatican edict

Word Origin for Vatican

C16: from Latin Vāticānus mons Vatican hill, on the western bank of the Tiber, of Etruscan origin

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 vatican

Vatican

1550s, from Latin mons Vaticanus, Roman hill on which Papal palace stands. An Etruscan loan-word, not related to vates "sooth-sayer."

vatican in Culture

Vatican II

The popular name for the Second Vatican Council, an assembly of all the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church held from 1962 to 1965. The bishops ordered a large-scale liberalization and modernization of practices in their church.