decretal

noun de·cre·tal \di-ˈkrē-t^əl, ˈde-kri-t^əl\

Definition of DECRETAL

: decree; especially : a papal letter giving an authoritative decision on a point of canon law

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin decretalis of a decree, from Latin decretum decree

First Known Use: 14th century

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