papalism
|pa-pal-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˈpeɪpəlɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈpeɪp(ə)lɪzəm/
support for the pope's authority
Etymology
'papalism' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from 'papal' + the suffix '-ism'. 'papal' derives from Latin 'papa' (from Greek 'pappas') meaning 'pope' / 'father', and the suffix '-ism' comes via Greek '-ismos' through Latin/French meaning 'belief, practice, or system'.
'papal' developed from Latin 'papa' and Old French 'pape' into Middle English 'pape', then into the adjective 'papal'; in Modern English the noun 'papalism' was formed by adding the productive suffix '-ism' to 'papal'.
Initially 'papa' (Greek 'pappas') meant 'father' and denoted the bishop of Rome; over time the compound 'papalism' evolved to mean specifically the doctrine or practice of papal authority and supremacy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the doctrine or belief in the supreme authority of the pope, especially over matters of church doctrine and governance.
Papalism played a central role in debates about church authority in the 19th century.
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Noun 2
practical deference to the pope's temporal or political authority as well as his spiritual leadership; the attitude or practice of yielding to papal decisions.
Critics accused the government of adopting a form of papalism in its dealings with the national church.
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Last updated: 2025/11/10 16:59