ENCYCLICAL

encyclical

(adjective) intended for wide distribution; “an encyclical letter”

encyclical, encyclical letter

(noun) a letter from the pope sent to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

encyclical (plural encyclicals)

A papal letter delivered to bishops in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adjective

encyclical (not comparable)

Intended for general circulation.

Source: Wiktionary

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En*cyc"lic, En*cyc"li*cal, a. Etym: [L. encyclios of a circle, general, Gr. encyclique. See Cycle.]

Definition: Sent to many persons or places; intended for many, or for a whole order of men; general; circular; as, an encyclical letter of a council, of a bishop, or the pope.

En*cyc"lic, En*cyc"li*cal, n.

Definition: An encyclical letter, esp. one from a pope. Shipley.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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