nihil obstat

[ nahy-hil ob-stat, nee- ]

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

1. permission to publish a book, granted by an official censor who, upon examining it, has certified that it contains nothing contrary to faith or morals.

nihil obstat

/ ˈɒbstæt /

(no translation)

1. the phrase used by a Roman Catholic censor to declare publication inoffensive to faith or morals

Word History and Origins

Origin of nihil obstat¹

1885–90; < Latin: literally, nothing stands in the way

Word History and Origins

Origin of nihil obstat¹

Latin, literally: nothing hinders

Example Sentences

Archbishops of San Francisco and Denver must grant a “nihil obstat,” a declaration the church has no moral objection to a transaction.

From Wall Street Journal

In Spain, for example, nonresidents may be married in a Catholic church if they obtain a nihil obstat, a document declaring that the bishop of their church at home does not object.

From New York Times

No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat and imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed.

From Project Gutenberg

I mean it depends on his permission; his imprimatur; his nihil obstat.

From Project Gutenberg

The archbishops awarded the merger a “nihil obstat,” a Latin term meaning they have no moral objections to the transaction.

From Wall Street Journal