English Explanatory Dictionary

Papal States

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. A country in southern Europe that existed until 1870, comprising the territories of Italy (and some enclaves in France) over which the pope was the ruler in a civil as well as a spiritual sense.

Word forms

Papal States the Papal States Papal State

Etymology

On the model of Italian Stati Pontifici, plural of Stato Pontificio; compare the dated direct calque Pontifical States. The plural is typical in English and reflects the Papal States’ highly regionalised administration, but in various European languages, including contemporary Italian, the singular is more common.

Synonyms

States of the Church Pontifical States Ecclesiastical State

Related words

Vatican City Holy See
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