'Papacy' definitions:

Definition of 'papacy'

From: WordNet
noun
The government of the Roman Catholic Church [syn: papacy, pontificate]

Definition of 'Papacy'

From: GCIDE
  • Papacy \Pa"pa*cy\, n. [LL. papatia, fr. L. papa a father, bishop. See Pope.]
  • 1. The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The popes, collectively; the succession of popes. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The Roman Catholic religion; -- commonly used by the opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an opprobrious sense. [1913 Webster]