abbot nullius

noun

abbot nul·​li·​us

-nu̇ˈlēəs

plural abbots nullius

: an abbot who is exempt from diocesan control and under direct papal jurisdiction and who exercises the authority of an ordinary within the district in which his abbey is situated

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of New Latin abbas nullius, short for abbas nullius dioecesis, "abbot of no diocese"

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

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