(Latin: rotulus)
A long narrow strip of papyrus or parchment, written on one side, wound like a window-shade about its staff; the earliest "volume" of which we know. In the 4th and 5th centuries these rolls were partly replaced by bound books, but for certain purposes rolls were retained. To this class belong legal records, manuscripts for the chanting of the Exultet, and mortuary rolls or documents employed to publish the names of the deceased of monasteries and other associations.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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