/pay"peuh see/ , n. , pl. papacies . Rom. Cath. Ch.
1. the office, dignity, or jurisdiction of the pope.
2. the system of ecclesiastical government in which the pope is recognized as the supreme head.
3. the period during which a certain pope is in office.
4. the succession or line of the popes.
[ 1350-1400; ME papacie papatia. See POPE, -ACY ]