D defs.my
Entry 3 senses Webster, 1913

Papacy

/pāʹ-pə-sē/ · Pa·pa·cy · IPA /ˈpeɪ.pə.si/
01 n. The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction.
  1. 1.
    The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction.
  2. 2.
    The popes, collectively; the succession of popes.
  3. 3.
    The Roman Catholic religion; -- commonly used by the opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an opprobrious sense.