|sēzə(ˌ)rōˈpāˌpizəm noun
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: caesar + -o- + Late Latin papa pope + English -ism — more at pope
1. : exercise of supreme authority over ecclesiastical matters by a secular ruler
2. : government in which the church is subordinate to the state or a secular ruler — compare byzantinism , erastianism