golden bull

noun

A decree issued by Byzantine emperors and later by monarchs in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, most notably by the Holy Roman Emperors.

Similar
chrysobull
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Meanings

noungolden bull (plural golden bulls)

plural golden bulls

  1. historicallifestyleA decree issued by Byzantine emperors and later by monarchs in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, most notably by the Holy Roman Emperors.

    Synonyms: chrysobull

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA decree issued by Byzantine emperors and later by monarchs in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, most notably by the Holy Roman Emperors.

Similar
chrysobull

Origin

The term was originally coined for the golden seal (bulla aurea) attached to the decree, but came to be applied to the entire decree.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

golden bull. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/golden%20bull

MLA

“golden bull.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/golden%20bull. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “golden bull,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/golden%20bull.

Source: golden bull on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.