caesaropapism

noun

cae·​sa·​ro·​pa·​pism

¦sēzə(ˌ)rōˈpāˌpizəm

plural -s

often capitalized

1

: exercise of supreme authority over ecclesiastical matters by a secular ruler

2

: government in which the church is subordinate to the state or a secular ruler compare byzantinism , erastianism

Word History

Etymology

caesar + -o- + Late Latin papa pope + English -ism

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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