catholic

cath·o·lic

adjective \ˈkath-lik, ˈka-thə-\

Definition of CATHOLIC

1

a often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the church universal

b often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it

c capitalized : roman catholic

2

: comprehensive, universal; especially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests <a catholic taste in music>

— ca·thol·i·cal·ly \kə-ˈthä-li-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— ca·thol·i·cize \-ˈthä-lə-ˌsīz\ verb

Examples of CATHOLIC

1. She is a novelist who is catholic in her interests.
2. <a museum director with catholic tastes in art>

Origin of CATHOLIC

Middle English catholik, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French catholique, from Late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos universal, general, from katholou in general, from kata by + holos whole — more at cata-, safe

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CATHOLIC

Synonyms

all-around (also all-round), all-purpose, general, general-purpose, unlimited, unqualified, unrestricted, unspecialized

Antonyms

limited, restricted, specialized, technical

Related Words

mixed-use, multipurpose; broad, wide; nonspecific, unspecified, vague

Near Antonyms

bounded, circumscribed, confined, definite, demarcated, determinate, finite, qualified; dedicated, selective

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Cath·o·lic

noun \ˈkath-lik, ˈka-thə-\

Definition of CATHOLIC

1

: a person who belongs to the universal Christian church

2

: a member of a Catholic church; especially : roman catholic

First Known Use of CATHOLIC

15th century

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary