Vatican \Vat"i*can\, n. [L. Vaticanus, mons, or collis, Vaticanus, the Vatican hill, in Rome, on the western bank of the Tiber: cf. F. Vatican, It. Vaticano.]

A magnificent assemblage of buildings at Rome, near the church of St. Peter, including the pope's palace, a museum, a library, a famous chapel, etc.

Note: The word is often used to indicate the papal authority.

Thunders of the Vatican, the anathemas, or denunciations, of the pope.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)