abbot nullius

noun abbot nul·li·us \ -nu̇ˈlēəs \

Definition of abbot nullius

plural abbots nullius

: an abbot who is exempt from diocesan control and under direct papal jurisdiction and who exercises the authority of an ordinary within the district in which his abbey is situated

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Origin and Etymology of abbot nullius

partial translation of New Latin abbas nullius, short for abbas nullius dioecesis, “abbot of no diocese”

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First Known Use: 1877

in the meaning defined above

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