antipopes
|an-ti-pope|
🇺🇸
/ˈæn.tiˌpoʊp/
🇬🇧
/ˈæn.tɪˌpəʊp/
(antipope)
pope's rival
Etymology
'antipope' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'antipapa', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'papa' meant 'pope' (literally 'father').
'antipapa' passed into Old French as 'antipape' and then into Middle English as 'antipope', eventually becoming the modern English 'antipope'.
Initially it referred specifically to rival claimants to the papacy in medieval church disputes; over time the term has retained that historical meaning and is used chiefly in historical or ecclesiastical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who, in opposition to someone generally recognized as the legitimate pope, makes a competing claim to be the pope.
Throughout the Middle Ages, antipopes challenged the authority of the recognized pontiffs.
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Noun 2
specifically, any of several rival claimants to the papal throne during periods of schism in church history.
Church councils were convened to settle disputes that had produced antipopes.
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Last updated: 2025/09/07 14:14