decretal

[ dih-kreet-l ]
/ dɪˈkrit l /

adjective

pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a decree or decrees.

noun

a papal decree authoritatively determining some point of doctrine or church law.
Decretals, the body or collection of such decrees as a part of the canon law.

Origin of decretal

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin dēcrētālis fixed by decree, equivalent to dēcrēt(um) decree + -ālis -al1

Words nearby decretal

decrepitate, decrepitude, decresc., decrescendo, decrescent, decretal, decretals, decretist, decretive, decretory, decretum

Example sentences from the Web for decretal

British Dictionary definitions for decretal

decretal
/ (dɪˈkriːtəl) /

noun

RC Church a papal edict on doctrine or church law

adjective

of or relating to a decretal or a decree

Derived forms of decretal

decretalist, noun

Word Origin for decretal

C15: from Old French, from Late Latin dēcrētālis; see decree