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DictionaryRoot: -ikos
Greek

-ikos

connected with or characteristic of

Forms

  • -ikos
  • -ic — The ending shortened as Greek words entered Latin, French, and English.

Origin

Greek -ikos continued an older Indo-European ending used to describe a connection or kind.

Note

English extended this borrowed ending to newly coined words.

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adjective / noun

Catholic

Belonging to the universal Christian church.

The Catholic parish gathers for Mass on Sunday morning.

Etymology
catholicGreekuniversal

Greek katholikos meant universal or concerning the whole. The Christian use applies that inclusive scope to the church as a whole, beyond any one local congregation.

More examples

  • She was raised as a Catholic.
  • The creed speaks of one holy catholic church.
  • The museum displays art from the Catholic tradition.

Forms

Catholic · Catholics

Similar words

Christian
Includes other churches as well as the Roman Catholic Church.
Roman Catholic
Specifically identifies the church headed by the pope.