en·cyc·li·cal ( n-s k l-k l)adj. Intended for general or wide circulation. n. Roman Catholic Church A papal letter addressed to the bishops of the Church or to the hierarchy of a particular country. [From Medieval Lattin encyclicus, circular, from Greek enkuklios : en-, in; see en-2 + kuklos, circle; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.] |
encyclical [ɛnˈsɪklɪkəl]
n
(Christianity / Roman Catholic Church) a letter sent by the pope to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world
adj also encyclic
(of letters) intended for general or wide circulation
[from Late Latin encyclicus, from Greek enkuklios general, from kuklos circle]
encyclical, encyclic
a letter from the Pope to the Roman Catholic clergy on matters of doctrine or other concerns of the Church, of tenmeant to be read from the pulpit.
See also: Popea letter from the Pope to the Roman Catholic clergy on matters of doctrine or other concerns of the Church, of ten meant to be read from the pulpit.
See also: Catholicism
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | encyclical - a letter from the pope sent to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world |
| Adj. | 1. | encyclical - intended for wide distribution; "an encyclical letter" distributed - spread out or scattered about or divided up |
Translations
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