What does "caesaropapism" mean?
The combination of state (originally imperial) power with religious authority; state authority over ecclesiastical matters.
Caesaropapism
/ˌsiːzəɹəʊˈpeɪpɪzm̩/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The combination of state (originally imperial) power with religious authority; state authority over ecclesiastical matters.
- Grammar: caesaropapism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: byzantinism, erastianism.
- Usage evidence: Shari'a civil law and Ottoman secular fiscal and administrative practice were all combined with Byzantine Caesaropapism, entrenching the ruler as legislator and inhibiting the transition to the rule of law ultimately made in the Empire.
How to use "caesaropapism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "caesaropapism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "caesaropapism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "caesaropapism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "byzantinism" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The combination of state (originally imperial) power with religious authority; state authority over ecclesiastical matters. countable, uncountable
"Shari'a civil law and Ottoman secular fiscal and administrative practice were all combined with Byzantine Caesaropapism, entrenching the ruler as legislator and inhibiting the transition to the rule of law ultimately made in the Empire."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of caesaropapism. alt-of, uncountable
- 3 the doctrine that the state is supreme over the church in ecclesiastical matters wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Shari'a civil law and Ottoman secular fiscal and administrative practice were all combined with Byzantine Caesaropapism, entrenching the ruler as legislator and inhibiting the transition to the rule of law ultimately made in the Empire."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "caesaropapism"?
Common synonyms include: byzantinism, erastianism.
How do you use "caesaropapism" in a sentence?
Shari'a civil law and Ottoman secular fiscal and administrative practice were all combined with Byzantine Caesaropapism, entrenching the ruler as legislator and inhibiting the transition to the rule of law ultimately made in the Empire.
How do you pronounce "caesaropapism"?
Pronounced /ˌsiːzəɹəʊˈpeɪpɪzm̩/.
Etymology
From caesar + -o- + papism, probably modelled after New Latin caesaro-papia, coined by the German ecclesiastical jurist Justus Henning Böhmer (1674–1749) in his work Jus ecclesiasticum Protestantium (Ecclesiastical Law of the Protestants, 1714–1736).