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bull

bull

2 9.9
An official order written by the pope and sealed with a lead seal
  • noun
  • /bʊl/
  • Formal
translation icon : bula
  • We must study the bull issued by the pope before implementing the changes.
  • a papal bull
  • issue a papal bull

And I also read the papal bulls from the Vatican.

Examples

  • His Holiness has issued the bull to formally declare the new policy.

  • The bull for Saint Hubert was issued in the Lateran Palace on April 29.

    Academic text (2018)
  • The original bulls have been lost in both cases.

    Academic text (2018)
  • His Holiness has issued the bull.

  • And I also read the papal bulls from the Vatican.

  • The town was rescued from economic oblivion by a papal bull granting it a university charter in 1425.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The papal bull granting the town a university charter changed its status forever.

Synonyms

proclamation
vsbull
  • Formal
59 5.5

An official public announcement by a government or leader that tells people something important

is a sealed church legal document rather than a general public announcement
fiat
vsbull
  • Formal
34 8.5

An official order that a government or person in power gives

is the pope's sealed formal order rather than a general decree
edict
vsbull
  • Formal
27 7.2

An official order from a person or government in power that people must follow

is specific to the pope as a sealed formal order
papal bull
vsbull
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official paper from the pope sealed with a lead seal

is the traditional short name for that same sealed official document

Idioms

To deal with a difficult problem directly and bravely

3 7.2

A clumsy or careless person who causes damage in delicate situations

To chat in a relaxed way about everyday things

Face a difficult problem directly and bravely

Doing something suddenly and forcefully without thinking because you are very eager

9.9

Something someone says that is not true

Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny

Compounds

40 3.9

A strong, muscular dog often kept as a pet and known for loyalty

bull market
  • Specialized
17 4.5

A time when stock prices rise and many people who buy shares feel confident

bull shark
  • Specialized
7 6.7

A large aggressive shark that lives in warm shallow water near coasts and in rivers

3 7.5

One of two major Civil War battles that took place near a creek in Virginia

3 3.4

A strong short-haired dog with a muscular body and an egg-shaped head

bull dyke
  • Slur
2 9.9

An offensive word for a lesbian who looks or acts very manly and tough

An early Civil War battle in Virginia where Confederate forces defeat Union troops

1 6.3

An absurd lie used to avoid blame or trick someone

bull session
  • Informal
1 7.9

A casual group conversation without a set topic

A strong, muscular dog breed from the United States with a short coat and high energy

John Bull
  • Literature
1 9.3

A character who stands for England or a typical English person

papal bull
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official paper from the pope sealed with a lead seal

1 4.0

A large strong dog that protects people and homes

1 8.9

A former US political party started by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 that supported progressive reforms

1 7.4

A very thick, short neck that makes someone look strong

A strong dog with short fur that is often loyal and brave

blue bull
  • Indian
9.1

A large deer-like animal from India whose male has a blue-grey coat and whose female is brown and hornless

A small American dog with a short smooth dark coat, white patches, and a flat face

8.8

A tree that keeps its leaves all year with large shiny leaves and big white fragrant flowers

bull butter
  • Archaic
9.9

Talk that is not true and that people do not believe

bull fiddle
  • Archaic
9.1

A very large string instrument like a big violin that makes low sounds

bull gravy
  • Archaic
9.9

Talk that is not true and meant to trick people

9.9

A rough prickly plant from North America with pale yellow flowers and small berries

bull nose
  • Specialized
9.9

A pig disease causing swelling and redness of the nose

8.1

A tall pine tree with dark green needles in groups of two to five and thick dark bark when mature

6.9

A creek in northeastern Virginia where two Civil War battles took place

6.9

A large North American snake that eats rodents, lives in burrows, and is not venomous

8.2

A tall prickly plant with large purple flower heads often found as a weed

bull tongue
  • Archaic
9.9

A heavy plow with one wide blade that breaks soil for cotton

bull-thrower
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who says things in a direct, often rude way and does not listen

7.2

A false story people tell to hide the real reason

A major early Civil War battle fought in July 1861 near Manassas, Virginia that the Confederate army won

9.9

A lesbian woman who is openly confident, shows a masculine style, and takes back an offensive name

A star sign represented by a bull from about April 20 to May 20

A strong, medium-sized English dog with a stocky body, smooth coat, and friendly nature

Surface Forms

bull singular
bulls plural

Etymology

Bull for a papal letter comes from the Latin word bulla meaning 'seal', because these official papers were named after the lead seal attached to them.