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catholic

adjective cath·o·lic \ˈkath-lik, ˈka-thə-\

Catholic : of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church

: including many different things

Full Definition of CATHOLIC

a often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the church universal

b often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it

c capitalized : roman catholic

: comprehensive, universal; especially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests <a catholic taste in music>

— ca·thol·i·cal·ly \kə-ˈthä-li-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— ca·thol·i·cize \-ˈthä-lə-ˌsīz\ verb

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Origin of CATHOLIC

Middle English catholik, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French catholique, from Late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos universal, general, from katholou in general, from kata by + holos whole — more at cata-, safe

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CATHOLIC

Synonyms: all-around (also all-round), all-purpose, general, general-purpose, unlimited, unqualified, unrestricted, unspecialized

Antonyms: limited, restricted, specialized, technical

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Catholic

noun Cath·o·lic \ˈkath-lik, ˈka-thə-\

: a person who is a member of the Roman Catholic Church

Full Definition of CATHOLIC

: a person who belongs to the universal Christian church

: a member of a Catholic church; especially : roman catholic

See Catholic defined for English-language learners

See Catholic defined for kids

First Known Use of CATHOLIC

15th century

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

CATHOLIC Defined for Kids

catholic

adjective cath·o·lic \ˈkath-lik, ˈka-thə-\

Definition of CATHOLIC for Kids

: including many different things or types <Mae and Tuck clattered on … past a catholic mixture of houses … — Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting>

cap : of or relating to the Roman Catholic church

Catholic

noun

Definition of CATHOLIC for Kids

: a member of the Roman Catholic church

Learn More About CATHOLIC

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "catholic"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "catholic"

Nglish: Translation of "catholic" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "catholic" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "catholic"

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