Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RO'MAN, a. [L. Romanus, from Roma, the principal city of the Romans in Italy. Rome is the oriental name Ramah, elevated, that is, a hill; for fortresses and towns were often placed on hills for security; Heb. and Ch. רום, to be high, to raise. Class Rot, No. 3.]

1. Pertaining to Rome, or to the Roman people.
2. Romish; popish; professing the religion of the pope. Roman Catholic, as an adjective, denoting the religion professed by the people of Rome and of Italy, at the head of which is the pope or bishop of Rome; as, a noun, one who adheres to the papal religion.