encyclical Hear it!

encyclical Definition

en·cyc·li·cal (en sik′li kəl, in-; occas., --sī′kli-)

adjective

for general circulation

Etymology: LL encyclicus < Gr enkyklios, in a circle, general, common < en-, in + kyklos, a circle: see cycle

noun

R.C.Ch. a papal document addressed to the bishops, generally dealing with doctrinal matters

encyclical Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • issue: In 1869 the first Vatican Council issued five great encyclicals which would determine the role of the Roman Catholic Church in a modern society.
  • write: He also supported the fascist tyranny of Pilsudski in Poland, while writing erudite encyclicals on moral and political principles.

Adjective modifier

  • papal: I am sure that he knows that the original concept derives from Catholic teaching, and a 19th century papal encyclical.
  • social: Fortunately, they had access to three social encyclicals.
  • first: This week's paper also offers in-depth analysis of Pope Benedict's first encyclical.
  • great: In 1869 the first Vatican Council issued five great encyclicals which would determine the role of the Roman Catholic Church in a modern society.
  • last: The present Pope's last encyclical in this series was in 1991.
  • major: This is a theme to which the pope himself constantly returns, and not only in major encyclicals.

Modifies a noun

  • letter: Evangelium Vitae Pope John Paul II's encyclical letter on the value of human life, 1995.