adjective / noun
Catholic
Belonging to the universal Christian church.
The Catholic parish gathers for Mass on Sunday morning.
Etymology
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.