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Glite Dictionary
cathedra

cathedra

1 9.9
A chair in a church where a bishop sits to show their authority
  • noun
  • /kəˈθiːdrə/
  • Formal
translation icon : cátedra
  • Lord Portland, when Ambassador to the Court of Louis XIV, was deemed highly honored to be so received, and it was from his throne that Louis announced ex cathedra his coming marriage to de Maintenon.
  • ex cathedra

Examples

  • With the promulgation of a new doctrine announcing the infallibility of decisions by the Roman pontiff made ex cathedra, Vatican I sent a very clear message:

    Academic text (2013)

  • Clearly, this is known from an example by which Pope Innocent X had made the Cathedra of Saint Peter behind the open bronze tabernacle made earlier by Urban.

    Academic text (1995)

  • A warm body in a cathedra does not make one a bishop.

    Blog text (15)

  • No resolution was ever obtained, so the church obviously imposed no answer ex cathedra.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The teachings we are discussing have not been declared ex cathedra, and therefore the doctrine of infallibility is not applicable here.

    Blog text (1)

  • The Cathedra, too, is an altar reliquary designed as the visual focus of the basilica for the pilgrim entering the main portal.

    Academic text (1995)

  • As the observer progresses down the nave, the rays of the Cathedra gradually recede from the enframing internal profile of the Baldacchino, rendering the criticism irrelevant.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The bishop sat in the cathedra during the ceremony, symbolizing his authority over the congregation.

  • During the service, the priest pointed to the cathedra as a representation of his leadership in the church.

  • The ornate cathedra was the focal point of the cathedral, showcasing the bishop's episcopal dignity.

Synonyms

bishop's throne
vscathedra
8.6

A special chair where a bishop sits during church services in a cathedral

emphasizes the seat as a symbol of church authority rather than simple ceremonial use

Idioms

ex cathedra
  • Formal
1 9.9

In a way that shows the full official authority of a leader, for example the Pope

Surface Forms

cathedra singular
cathedrae plural

Etymology

The word cathedra comes from a Greek word meaning 'seat' and was the special chair where a bishop sat during services. It also gives us the word cathedral, the church that holds the bishop's 'seat', so a cathedra is a sign of a bishop's authority.