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DictionarybullSealed decree
noun

bull

An official sealed document, especially one issued by a pope.

The archive preserves a papal bull with its seal.

Etymology
bullLatinseal; rounded object

The Latin word came to name a seal attached to a document. The sealed document itself then took the name, particularly in papal use.

More examples

  • The historian examined the bull's wording.
  • Several bulls addressed the dispute.
  • The document was issued as a formal bull.

Forms

bull · bulls

Similar words

decree
An official order that need not be papal.
edict
A public authoritative command.