curia

curia [rō mä′nə, rōmā′nəkyoor′ē ə]

n.

pl. curiae [kyoor′ēē΄] [L (in ML, court) < OL * co-viria, assembly of men < co-, together + * viro-, man: see VIRILE]

1. in ancient Rome,

a) any of the ten political subdivisions into which the Latin, Sabine, and Etruscan tribes were each divided

b) its meeting place

c) the senate house at Rome

2. a medieval judicial council or court held in the king's name

3. [C-] the administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church, consisting of various departments, courts, officials, etc., functioning under the authority of the pope: in full Curia Romana [rō mä′nə, rōmā′nə]

curial

adj.