Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Pauline privilege

noun

Definition of Pauline privilege

: the option available to a previously unbaptized person who becomes a Roman Catholic after marriage to another unbaptized person of dissolving the marriage through legal action undertaken with the consent of ecclesiastical authority if the other person refuses to become a Catholic and impedes the convert's practice of religion

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Pauline privilege

so called from its being based on Paul's doctrine in 1 Corinthians 7:12–17

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Pauline privilege

Share Pauline privilege

Statistics for Pauline privilege

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Pauline privilege

What made you want to look up Pauline privilege? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

purview

Listen to the pronounciation of purview

the range of authority or knowledge

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games