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the seat or throne of a bishop in the principal church of a diocese.
an official chair, as of a professor in a university.
an ancient Roman chair used by women, having an inclined, curved back and curved legs flaring outward: the Roman copy of the Greek klismos.
Historical Examples

In this spot, near the residence of the king, a church was built, in which the bishop’s cathedra was placed.
Bell’s Cathedrals: Chichester (1901) Hubert C. Corlette

And hence, he says, matter is as it were the stool (cathedra) of the One.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy Isaac Husik

To reason thus is to put subtlety into the cathedra of common sense, to bewilder vision by legerdemain.
The Beginners of a Nation Edward Eggleston.

It is not a cathedral; that is, it is not the “cathedra” of a bishop.
Seeing Europe with Famous Authors, Volume 7 Various

It is believed that this was the “cathedra” of St. Wilfrid himself.
Northumberland Yesterday and To-day Jean F. Terry

The cathedra, which was probably identical with the sella muliebris mentioned by Suetonius, was mostly used by women.
Carriages & Coaches Ralph Straus

The cathedral church is small, and the only thing which impressed me in it is the cathedra itself.
The Passing of the Turkish Empire in Europe B. Granville Baker

The cathedra was properly a soft or easy chair used in the gynca, or womens apartments.
The Fables of Phdrus Phaedrus

Parts are translated in Greenwood, cathedra Petri, iii., 364-371.
The Rise of the Mediaeval Church Alexander Clarence Flick

To reason thus is to put subtlety into the cathedra of common-sense, to bewilder vision by legerdemain.
Library of the World’s Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 13 Various

noun
a bishop’s throne
the office or rank of a bishop
See ex cathedra
n.

“seat of a bishop in his church,” Latin, literally “chair” (see cathedral).