Vatican
[vat-i-kuh n]
- 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).
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Origin of Vatican
1545–55; < Latin vātīcānus (mōns) Vatican (hill)
Vatican II
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
pontiff, pontifical, see, legate, popery, vicegerent, papacy, vatican, nuncio, popedom, popishExamples from the Web for vatican
Contemporary Examples
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 SecondsBarbie 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 SecondsBarbie 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.
He has put flowers on the tomb of John Paul II,” said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, “I think that is enough.
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
To-day at the Vatican, he keeps on a footing of diplomatic reserve.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
Well, it is all over with you, your Vatican and your St. Peter's.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
After long wanderings he reached the Vatican, studied and became famous.
Self-HelpSamuel Smiles
Secured permission of the Pope to give an exhibition in the Vatican.
Who Was Who: 5000 B. C. to DateAnonymous
When the Castle went over to the King the connection with the Vatican was cut off.
The Eternal CityHall Caine
Vatican
- 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
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Word Origin
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
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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."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.