Bulla
/ˈbʊl.ə/noun
A bubble, blister, or rounded swelling; in historical usage, also a seal or official papal document.
Did you know?Latin bulla could mean a bubble or blister, but it also became the term for the metal seal on official documents, which is why a papal bulla carries the weight of sacred authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“to swell, blow, or bubble up”
Latin
Latin
bulla
“a bubble, blister, or rounded knob; later also a seal or amulet”
Late Latin
Latin
bulla
“the lead seal attached to an official document, especially a papal one”
Medieval Latin
Latin
bulla
“a papal decree or charter authenticated by a seal”
Middle English
English
bulle
“a seal or official document; also a bubble or blister”
Modern English
English
bulla
“a blister-like swelling or a rounded anatomical sac”