[L. cathedra, a. Gr. καθέδρα chair; esp. seat of a bishop, teacher’s or professor’s chair: f. κατά down + έδ- sit.]
1. The chair or seat of a bishop in his church; hence, the episcopal see or dignity.
1829. Trial J. Martin (York), 35. The curtains of the cathedra were up on Sunday.
1863. J. R. Walbran, Mem. Fountains Abbey, I. Pref. p. xxi. When Archbishop Turstin ascended the cathedra of York in the year 1114.
1866. J. H. Newman, Lett. to Pusey (ed. 2), 144. Chrysostom … was in close relations with the once Semi-arian Cathedra of Antioch.
2. Latin phr. Ex cathedrâ, ‘from the chair,’ i.e., in the manner of one speaking from the seat of office or professorial chair, with authority; also used attrib. = officially uttered. So † in cathedrâ.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., I. i. (1636), 23. And that he in cathedra cannot erre.
1674. Hickman, Hist. Quinquart. (ed. 2), Ep. A iv b. When they can neither say, that the Pope was misinformed, or that he was not in Cathedra.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, xxii. He was a great lover of form, more especially when he could dictate it ex cathedra.
1820. Byron, Blues, I. 150. Old Botherby’s spouting ex-cathedrâ tone.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 128. He, ex cathedrâ, was determining their several questions to them.
1885. Manch. Exam., 4 May, 5/2. The President’s ex cathedrâ judgment.
