Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Catholic
Cath′o-lic
(kăth′ō̍-ĭk)
, Adj.
[L.
catholicus
, Gr. καθολικός
, universal, general; κατά
down, wholly + ὅλοσ
whole, probably akin to E. solid
: cf. F. catholique
.] 1.
Universal or general;
as, the
. catholic
faithMen of other countries [came] to bear their part in so great and
catholic
a war. Southey.
☞ This epithet, which is applicable to the whole Christian church, or its faith, is claimed by Roman Catholics to belong especially to their church, and in popular usage is so limited.
2.
Not narrow-minded, partial, or bigoted; liberal;
as,
. catholic
tastes3.
Of or pertaining to, or affecting the Roman Catholics;
as, the
. Catholic
emancipation actCatholic epistles
, the epistles of the apostles which are addressed to all the faithful, and not to a particular church; being those of James, Peter, Jude, and John.
Cath′o-lic
,Noun.
1.
A person who accepts the creeds which are received in common by all parts of the orthodox Christian church.
2.
An adherent of the Roman Catholic church; a Roman Catholic.
Old Catholic
, the name assumed in 1870 by members of the Roman Catholic church, who denied the ecumenical character of the Vatican Council, and rejected its decrees, esp. that concerning the infallibility of the pope, as contrary to the ancient Catholic faith.
Webster 1828 Edition
Catholic
CATHOLIC
,Adj.
1.
Universal or general; as the Catholic church. Originally this epithet was given to the Christian church in general, but is now appropriated to the Romish church, and in strictness there is no Catholic church, or universal Christian communion. The epithet is sometimes set in opposition to heretic, sectary or schismatic.2.
Liberal; not narrow minded, partial or bigoted; as a catholic man.3.
Liberal; as catholic principles.Catholic epistles, the epistles of the apostles which are addressed to all the faithful, and not to a particular church.
CATHOLIC
,Noun.
Definition 2024
Catholic
Catholic
See also: catholic
English
Adjective
Catholic (comparative more Catholic, superlative most Catholic)
- Of the Western Christian church, as differentiated from e.g. the Orthodox church.
- Christmas is celebrated at different dates in the Catholic and Orthodox calendars.
- Of the Roman Catholic church in particular.
- The Church of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic one.
- Catholic churches are built differently than Protestant ones.
- Alternative letter-case form of catholic
Derived terms
- neo-Catholic
Translations
of the Western Christian church, as differentiated from the Orthodox church
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of the Roman Catholic church
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Noun
Catholic (plural Catholics)
- A member of a Catholic church.
- The wife of the Prime Minister is a Catholic.
Hypernyms
Coordinate terms
Translations
member of a Catholic church
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catholic
catholic
See also: Catholic
English
Adjective
catholic (comparative more catholic, superlative most catholic)
- Universal; all-encompassing.
- 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.29:
- Essentially, and in idea, the empire, in the minds of the Romans, was world-wide. This conception descended to the Church, which was ‘Catholic’ in spite of Buddhists, Confucians, and (later) Muhammadans.
- 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.29:
- Pertaining to all kinds of people and their range of tastes, proclivities etc.; liberal.
- He has catholic tastes.
- Alternative letter-case form of Catholic