ex cathedra

2 definitions found

ex cathedra - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cathedra \Cath"e*dra\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? seat. See Chair.]
     The official chair or throne of a bishop, or of any person in
     high authority.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Ex cathedra [L., from the chair], in the exercise of one's
        office; with authority.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The Vatican Council declares that the Pope, is
              infallible "when he speaks ex cathedra." --Addis &
                                                    Arnold's Cath.
                                                    Dict.
        [1913 Webster]

ex cathedra - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  ex cathedra
      adv 1: with the full authority of the office; "the pope must
             speak ex cathedra for an encyclical to be infallible"