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 decretals

British Dictionary definitions for decretals (1 of 2)

Decretals
/ (dɪˈkriːtəlz) /

pl n

RC Church a compilation of decretals, esp the authoritative compilation (Liber Extra) of Gregory IX (1234) which forms part of the Corpus Juris Canonici

British Dictionary definitions for decretals (2 of 2)

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