ultramontanism
|ul-tra-mon-tan-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌʌltrəˈmɑn.tənˌɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌltrəˈmɒn.tən.ɪzəm/
support for papal supremacy
Etymology
'ultramontanism' originates from French, specifically the word 'ultramontanisme', where 'ultra-' meant 'beyond' and 'mont-' (from Latin 'mons') meant 'mountain'.
'ultramontanism' changed from the Latin/Medieval Latin adjective 'ultramontanus' meaning 'beyond the mountains' and from the French noun 'ultramontanisme', and eventually became the modern English word 'ultramontanism'.
Initially, it meant 'located beyond the mountains' (literally referring to those 'beyond the Alps' from a French/Italian perspective), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'support for papal authority or supremacy'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a political and theological position within the Roman Catholic Church that emphasizes strong papal authority and centralization, especially the doctrine of papal supremacy over national or local church authorities.
Ultramontanism rose in influence in the 19th century as many Catholics sought a strong, centralized papal authority.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/08 00:51