encyclical

[ en-sik-li-kuhl, -sahy-kli- ]

/ ɛnˈsɪk lɪ kəl, -ˈsaɪ klɪ- /

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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. 2023

How to use encyclical in a sentence

A prime example of this approach is Pope Francis’ groundbreaking 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, where he writes about the care for our common home by our common family.
How Gratitude Can Help Combat Climate Change|Robert A. Emmons|November 12, 2021|Time
In 1864 Pius IX issued his famous encyclical, in which he boldly condemned the "pernicious" doctrine of the rights of man.
The Church In Politics--Americans Beware!|M. M. Mangasarian
Ten years subsequently he put forth the celebrated Encyclical Letter and the Syllabus.
History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science|John William Draper
We refer to the reply to the noble and paternal encyclical of Pius IX.
The Catholic World. Volume III; Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.|E. Rameur

When the question is asked, therefore, Why there are (not one only but) several encyclical bodies?
Aristotle|George Grote

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.