curia

noun

cu·​ria ˈkyu̇r-ē-ə How to pronounce curia (audio)
ˈku̇r-,
ˈkyər-
plural curiae ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌē How to pronounce curia (audio)
ˈku̇r-ē-ˌī,
ˈkyər-
1
a
: a division of the ancient Roman people comprising several gentes of a tribe
b
: the place of assembly of one of these divisions
2
a
: the court of a medieval king
b
: a court of justice
3
often capitalized : the body of congregations, tribunals, and offices through which the pope governs the Roman Catholic Church
curial
ˈkyu̇r-ē-əl How to pronounce curia (audio)
ˈku̇r-
ˈkyər-
adjective

Examples of curia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Enlarge / Recreation of the curia in phase II. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2022 In ancient Rome, a curia was a structure where members of the senate would meet. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2022 The suggestion that the curia had been built in phases is not new. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2022 In 2003, Bishop Sean O’Malley took over, while Lennon stayed on as vicar general and moderator of the curia. Grant Segall, cleveland, 5 Nov. 2019 It would be conducted under the solemnity of canon law and held before the papal curia and Roman nobility. National Geographic, 20 Aug. 2019 Five years ago, he was appointed one of eight cardinals by Pope Francis to work out how to overhaul the administrative structures of the church, which are known as the Roman curia. A. Odysseus Patrick, Washington Post, 1 May 2018 Maltese archbishop Charles Scicluna was stable and conscious after the surgery and his hospital recovery will take between 48 and 72 hours, the curia for Scicluna’s archdiocese in Malta said in a brief statement issued by a Chilean hospital. Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, perhaps from co- + vir man — more at virile

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of curia was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near curia

Cite this Entry

“Curia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curia. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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