the theory that the state should have authority over the church in ecclesiastical matters; Erastianism
Word origin
C19: from Caesar (in the sense: temporal ruler) + Ecclesiastical Latin papa Pope1 + -ism
caesaropapism in American English
(ˌsizərouˈpeipɪzəm)
noun
1.
the possession of supreme authority over church and state by one person, often by a secular ruler
2.
the supremacy of the state over the church in ecclesiastical matters
Derived forms
caesaropapist
noun or adjective
Word origin
[1885–90; caesar + -o- + papism]This word is first recorded in the period 1885–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: booster, classified, foregut, lineup, twofer-o- is the typical ending of the first element of compounds of Greek origin (as -i- is, in compounds of Latin origin), used regularly in forming new compounds with elementsof Greek origin and often used in English as a connective irrespective of etymology(Franco-Italian; geography; seriocomic; speedometer)