cardinalate

car·di·nal·ate

C0107800 (kär′dn-ə-lĭt, -lāt′, kärd′nə-)n. Roman Catholic Church 1. The position, rank, dignity, or term of a cardinal.2. The College of Cardinals.

(ˈkɑːdɪnəˌleɪt) or

n1. (Ecclesiastical Terms) the rank, office, or term of office of a cardinal2. (Ecclesiastical Terms) the cardinals collectively

(ˈkɑr dn lˌeɪt)

n. 1. the body of cardinals. 2. the office, rank, or dignity of a cardinal. [1635–45]

the state of being a cardinal, hence, cardinals collectively.

Thesaurus

Noun

cardinalate - cardinals collectivelyclergy - in Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)