nihil obstat

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈɒbstæt/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(nī′hil ob′stat, nē′-)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
ni•hil ob•stat  (nī′hil ob′stat, nē′-),USA pronunciation [Rom. Cath. Ch.]
  1. Religionpermission to publish a book, granted by an official censor who, upon examining it, has certified that it contains nothing contrary to faith or morals.
  • Latin: literally, nothing stands in the way
  • 1885–90

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
nihil obstat /ˈɒbstæt/
  1. the phrase used by a Roman Catholic censor to declare publication inoffensive to faith or morals
Etymology: Latin, literally: nothing hinders
'nihil obstat' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
imprimatur

Forum discussions with the word(s) "nihil obstat" in the title:


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