benedict xii: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Academic, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “benedict xii” mean?
The regnal name of Jacques Fournier, a French bishop who served as Pope of the Catholic Church from 1334 to 1342.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The regnal name of Jacques Fournier, a French bishop who served as Pope of the Catholic Church from 1334 to 1342.
Historically, the 197th pope, known for his intellectual background as a theologian, efforts to reform religious orders, and for residing in Avignon during the period known as the Avignon Papacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The name and numeral are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes medieval Church history, the Avignon Papacy, and papal succession.
Frequency
Frequency is equally low in both varieties, confined to historical or religious discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “benedict xii” in a Sentence
Pope + Benedict XIIBenedict XII + verb (reigned, decreed, resided)Under + Benedict XIIVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “benedict xii” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council was convened by Benedict XII.
- He was consecrated under Benedict XII.
American English
- Benedict XII commissioned the building of the Palais des Papes.
- Historians study how Benedict XII governed.
adverb
British English
- He ruled papal-autocratically, very much in the style of Benedict XII.
- The decree was issued Benedict XII-style.
American English
- The order was reformed, arguably Benedict XII-esque in its rigor.
- He acted Benedict XII-like in his austerity.
adjective
British English
- The Benedictine reforms of Benedict XII were significant.
- A Benedict XII-era manuscript was discovered.
American English
- The Benedict XII papacy faced political challenges.
- This is a pre-Benedict XII theological position.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, and religious studies contexts discussing the 14th-century papacy.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in specific discussions of papal history.
Technical
Used in ecclesiastical history and Catholic historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “benedict xii”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “benedict xii”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “benedict xii”
- Writing 'Benedict the 12th' instead of the formal 'Benedict XII'.
- Lowercasing 'benedict'.
- Confusing him with other Pope Benedicts (e.g., Benedict XVI).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, he was the twelfth pope to take the name Benedict.
He lived in Avignon, in what is now France, as part of the Avignon Papacy.
He is known for his intellectual background, efforts to reform religious orders like the Benedictines and Cistercians, and for building the Palais des Papes in Avignon.
It should always be capitalized: 'Benedict XII'. The numeral is typically written in Roman numerals (XII), not as 'the 12th' in formal contexts.
The regnal name of Jacques Fournier, a French bishop who served as Pope of the Catholic Church from 1334 to 1342.
Benedict xii is usually formal, historical, academic, ecclesiastical in register.
Benedict xii: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɛnɪdɪkt ðə ˈtwɛlfθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛnəˌdɪkt ðə ˈtwɛlfθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Bene' (good) + 'dict' (say) + 'XII' (12): The twelfth pope who 'said good' things about reform.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NAME IS A TITLE: The name represents the office and legacy of a specific pope.
Practice
Quiz
Who was Benedict XII before becoming pope?