nihil obstat

[ nahy-hil ob-stat, nee- ]
/ ˈnaɪ hɪl ˈɒb stæt, ˈni- /

noun Roman Catholic Church.

permission to publish a book, granted by an official censor who, upon examining it, has certified that it contains nothing contrary to faith or morals.

Origin of nihil obstat

1885–90; < Latin: literally, nothing stands in the way

Words nearby nihil obstat

British Dictionary definitions for nihil obstat

nihil obstat
/ (ˈɒbstæt) /

the phrase used by a Roman Catholic censor to declare publication inoffensive to faith or morals

Word Origin for nihil obstat

Latin, literally: nothing hinders