decretal noun & adjective.
[dɪ'kri:t(ǝ)l] ME.[Late Latin decretale (whence also Old & mod. French décrétale), use as noun of neut. sing. of decretalis adjective (whence the English adjective), from Latin decret- pa. ppl stem of decernere DECERN: see -AL1.]A. noun.
1. Ecclesiastical. A papal decree or decretal epistle; a document issued by a pope determining some point of doctrine or ecclesiastical law; in
pl., the collection of such decrees forming part of the canon law.
ME.2. gen. A decree; an ordinance.
L16.b. adjective.
1. Pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing, a decree or decrees (esp. papal).
L15.2. Esp. of God's laws: imperative, inviolable. Also, decisive, definitive. Only in
17. ■ decretaline adjective of or pertaining to the decretals
E17-E18. ■ decretalist noun (a) a holder of the Calvinistic doctrine of the decrees of God;
(b) =
DECRETIST:
E18. ■ decretally adverb in a decretal way; by way of decree:
E17. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲