datary
Extremely RareFormal / Ecclesiastical / Historical
Definition
Meaning
An ecclesiastical office or official responsible for dating papal bulls and other documents.
The office of the Apostolic Datary in the Roman Curia; historically, the official who presided over this department dealing with the granting of favors, graces, and offices.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is highly specific to Roman Catholic Church administration and is predominantly a historical term, as the Apostolic Datary was suppressed in the 20th century curial reforms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning or usage; term is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
No significant difference. Carries the same formal, historical, and ecclesiastical connotations.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in general English. May appear in specialized historical or theological texts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the [Apostolic/former] Dataryserved as Datarythe office of [the] DataryVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, religious studies, or theological contexts discussing the structure of the Roman Curia.
Everyday
Virtually unknown and unused.
Technical
Technical term within Catholic ecclesiology and church history.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Datary office was influential.
- Datary functions were complex.
American English
- The Datary office was influential.
- Datary functions were complex.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word is too difficult for A2 level.
- This word is too difficult for B1 level.
- The Apostolic Datary was an important department in the historical Roman Curia.
- He was appointed to the office of the Datary.
- Prior to its abolition, the Datary was responsible for granting benefices and other papal graces.
- The reform of the Curia in the early 20th century led to the suppression of the Datary.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A datary deals with the DATE on papal documents.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CHURCH IS A BUREAUCRACY (the Datary is a specialized bureau within it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'датарий' (non-existent) or misassociating with 'data'/'данные'. It is unrelated to modern information. The correct Russian equivalent is 'датарий' (datariy) but it is a direct loanword used only in very specific contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'database' or 'data repository'.
- Spelling as 'dictionary' or 'datory'.
- Assuming it is a common noun.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary function of the Datary?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, despite the similar spelling, 'datary' comes from Latin 'data' (things given, from 'dare' to give) in the context of papal favors, not from the modern sense of 'data' as information.
No, the Apostolic Datary was abolished by Pope Paul VI in 1967 as part of the curial reforms following the Second Vatican Council.
No, it is a specific historical ecclesiastical title. Using it for a general archive or database would be incorrect.
It is pronounced DAY-tuh-ree, with the stress on the first syllable, both in British and American English.