Word Study
lateran
CIDE DICTIONARY
lateran, n.
The church and palace of St. John Lateran, the church being the cathedral church of Rome, and the highest in rank of all churches in the Catholic world. [1913 Webster]
" The name is said to have been derived from that of the Laterani family, who possessed a palace on or near the spot where the church now stands. In this church several ecclesiastical councils, hence called Lateran councils, have been held." [1913 Webster]
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