Pa"pa*cy (?), n. [LL. papatia, fr. L. papa a father, bishop. See Pope.]
1.
The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction.
2.
The popes, collectively; the succession of popes.
3.
The Roman Catholic religion; -- commonly used by the opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an opprobrious sense.
© Webster 1913.