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catholic

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The definition of catholic is something that is wide-ranging, comprehensive, or refers to something or someone related to the Christian church or the Roman Catholic Church.

(adjective)

a person who enjoys all types of food is an example of someone with catholic tastes.
A study that includes information on every crime committed within a one year timeframe is an example of a catholic study.
A person who is a member of the Roman Catholic Church is an example of a catholic.
A person who is a Christian and who goes to church every Sunday is an example of someone who believes in the catholic church.

See catholic in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of general scope or value; all-inclusive; universal
broad in sympathies, tastes, or understanding; liberal
of the Christian church as a whole; specif., of the ancient, undivided Christian church
of the Christian church headed by the pope; Roman Catholic
of any of the orthodox Christian churches, including the Roman, Greek Orthodox, Anglo-Catholic, etc., as distinguished from the Reformed or Protestant churches

Origin: ME catholik < L catholicus, universal, general (in LL(Ec) & ML, orthodox, Catholic) < Gr katholikos < kata-, down, completely + holos, whole: see holo-

noun

a member of the universal Christian church
a member of any of the Catholic churches; esp., a Roman Catholic

Related Forms:

catholically adverb

See catholic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of broad or liberal scope; comprehensive: “The 100-odd pages of formulas and constants are surely the most catholic to be found” (Scientific American).
Including or concerning all humankind; universal: “what was of catholic rather than national interest” (J.A. Froude).
Catholic
a. Of or involving the Roman Catholic Church.
b. Of or relating to the universal Christian church.
c. Of or relating to the ancient undivided Christian church.
d. Of or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives of the ancient undivided church.