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Definition of ex cathedra in English:

ex cathedra

Pronunciation /ˌeks kəˈTHēdrə/ /ˌɛks kəˈθidrə/

adverb

  • With the full authority of office (especially that of the Pope, implying infallibility as defined in Roman Catholic doctrine)

    ‘for an encyclical to be infallible the Pope must speak ex cathedra’
    lawful, legitimate, licit, within the law, legalized, valid

adjective

  • Issued with the full authority of office (especially that of the Pope, implying infallibility as defined in Roman Catholic doctrine)

    ‘ex cathedra statements’
    ‘an ex cathedra decree’

Origin

Latin, ‘from the (teacher's) chair’, from ex ‘from’ and cathedra ‘seat’ (see cathedral).

Pronunciation

ex cathedra

/ˌeks kəˈTHēdrə/ /ˌɛks kəˈθidrə/