Main Entry: pa·pa·cy

Pronunciation: \ˈpā-pə-sē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pa·pa·cies

Etymology: Middle English papacie, from Medieval Latin papatia, from Late Latin papa pope — more at pope

Date: 14th century

1 : the office of pope
2 : a succession or line of popes
3 : the term of a pope's reign
4 capitalized : the system of government of the Roman Catholic Church of which the pope is the supreme head