catholicos

noun

ca·​thol·​i·​cos kə-ˈthȯ-li-kȯs How to pronounce catholicos (audio)
variants often Catholicos
plural catholicoses kə-ˈthȯ-li-kȯ-səz How to pronounce catholicos (audio) or catholicoi kə-ˈthȯ-li-ˌkȯi How to pronounce catholicos (audio)
: a Primate of certain Eastern churches and especially of the Armenian or of the Nestorian church

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek katholikos, from Greek, general

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catholicos was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Catholicos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catholicos. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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