prelate nullius

[ noo-lee-uhs ]

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

, plural prelates nullius.

1. a prelate having independent jurisdiction over a district not under a diocesan bishop.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelate nullius¹

< New Latin or Medieval Latin nullīus dioecēsis of no diocese

Example Sentences

Father Ryan went back to Chicago in 1958 to be consecrated by the late Cardinal Stritch as Titular Bishop of Margo and Prelate Nullius of Santar�m.

From Time Magazine Archive