Catholic - A Definition

cath·o·lic ( P ) Pronounciation Key(kth-lk, kthlk)adj.
1. 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
2. Of or involving the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Of or relating to the universal Christian church.
4. Of or relating to the ancient undivided Christian church.
5. Of or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives of the ancient undivided church. n. Catholic
6. A member of a Catholic church, especially a Roman Catholic.
[Middle English catholik, universally accepted, from Old French catholique, from Latin catholicus, universal, from Greek katholikos, from katholou, in general : kat-, kata-, down, along, according to; see cata- + holou(from neuter genitive of holos, whole. See sol- in Indo-European Roots).]

ca·tholi·cal·ly (k-thlk-l) adv.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
catholic
adj 1: of or relating to or supporting Catholicism; "the Catholic Church" [syn: Catholic] 2: free from provincial prejudices or attachments; "catholic in one's tastes" n : a member of a Catholic church [syn: Catholic]