Antipope is a term that is not commonly used in daily language. It is a word that is often associated with the Catholic Church and its history. The term has a specific meaning and is often used in a particular context. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of antipope, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
An antipope is a person who claims to be the Pope, but who is not recognized as such by the Catholic Church. The term is used to describe individuals who have challenged the authority of the Pope and have set up their own rival papacy. Antipopes are often considered to be heretics or schismatics, as they are seen as dividing the Church.
Origin
The term antipope comes from the Latin word “antipapa,” which means “opposite of the Pope.” The first antipope was Hippolytus, who was elected by a group of dissidents in Rome in the year 217. Since then, there have been many antipopes throughout history, particularly during the Great Schism of the Western Church in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an antipope is “a person who claims to be Pope in opposition to the Pope recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.” Merriam-Webster defines antipope as “a person who claims to be the pope or to have been elected pope in opposition to the one chosen by church law.”
Associations
Antipopes are often associated with the Catholic Church and its history. They are seen as individuals who have challenged the authority of the Pope and have caused division within the Church. Antipopes are also associated with heresy and schism, as they are seen as promoting beliefs that are contrary to Catholic doctrine.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of antipope include:
- False Pope.
- Pretender Pope.
- Anti-Papal Claimant.
- Schismatic Pope.
- Usurping Pope.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of antipope, as it is a specific term with a particular meaning. However, some related terms include:
- Papacy.
- Holy See.
The same root words
The root word of antipope is “pope,” which comes from the Latin “papa,” meaning “father.” Other words with the same root include:
- Papist.
- Papistical.
Example Sentences
- During the Great Schism, there were two rival popes and several antipopes.
- The antipope was excommunicated by the Church for promoting heretical beliefs.
- The antipope’s followers were known as the “anti-papal party.”
Antipope is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language, but it has a specific meaning and is often associated with the Catholic Church and its history. An antipope is a person who claims to be the Pope, but who is not recognized as such by the Catholic Church. The term has its origins in the Latin language and has been used throughout history to describe individuals who have challenged the authority of the Pope and have set up their own rival papacy.