pope

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal

n. a title used for the leaders of the Coptic or Orthodox churches in Alexandria.

n. the formal title held by the Coptic Bishop of Alexandria and the Orthodox Bishop of Alexandria.

“The Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church visited the new cathedral.”

“Ecclesiastical history records that the title of Pope was used in Alexandria before it became the exclusive designation for the Bishop of Rome.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Cooking Informal · American English · Dialect

n. a name for garlic when it is added to the 'holy trinity' of onions, peppers, and celery.

n. a colloquial term for garlic when used as a fourth foundational ingredient alongside the Cajun 'holy trinity'.

“To make this stew authentic, you need to add the pope to the vegetables.”

“In Louisiana Creole cuisine, adding 'the pope' to the aromatic base of celery, onions, and bell peppers provides a deeper flavour profile to the gumbo.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Dialect

n. another name for a small freshwater fish called a ruffe.

n. a regional name for the ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), a small freshwater fish common in Eurasia.

“The fisherman caught a small pope in the river this afternoon.”

“While angling for perch, he inadvertently landed a pope, a species often considered a nuisance by local competitive fishermen.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Dialect

n. a local name for the puffin, a sea bird with a colourful beak.

n. a regional or dialectal name for the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica).

“We saw a pope sitting on the cliffs during our walk in Scotland.”

“The coastal villagers referred to the nesting puffins as popes, likely due to the bird's black-and-white plumage resembling clerical attire.”

C2 · Proficiency Religion Informal · Humorous

v. to become a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

v. to convert to Roman Catholicism; often used in the phrase 'to pope'.

“After years of study, he decided to pope last Easter.”

“His friends were surprised when he decided to pope, given his long history of secular activism and vocal skepticism toward organized religion.”