encyclical

[ en-sik-li-kuh l, -sahy-kli- ]

/ ɛnˈsɪk lɪ kəl, -ˈsaɪ klɪ- /

noun

Roman Catholic Church. a letter addressed by the pope to all the bishops of the church.

adjective

(of a letter) intended for wide or general circulation; general.

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Also en·cyc·lic.

Origin of encyclical

1610–20; < Late Latin encyclicus (< Greek enkýklios, with -icus -ic for -ios, equivalent to en- en-² + kýkl(os) circle, cycle + -ios adj. suffix) + -al¹

Words nearby encyclical

enculturation, encumber, encumbrance, encumbrancer, ency., encyclical, encyclopedia, encyclopedic, encyclopedism, encyclopedist, encyst

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for encyclical

encyclical

/ (ɛnˈsɪklɪkəl) /

noun

a letter sent by the pope to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world

adjective Also: encyclic

(of letters) intended for general or wide circulation

Word Origin for encyclical

C17: from Late Latin encyclicus, from Greek enkuklios general, from kuklos circle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for encyclical

encyclical

[ (en-sik-li-kuhl) ]

A letter from the pope to the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he lays down policy on religious, moral, or political issues.