encyclical Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a letter from the pope sent to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world
    encyclical letter.
  2. adjective satellite intended for wide distribution
    • an encyclical letter

WordNet

En*cyc"lic, En*cyc"li*cal adjective (Also<
  • Encyclic
  • Encyclical
)
Etymology
L. encyclios of a circle, general, Gr. in + circle: cf. F. encyclique. See Cycle.
Definitions
  1. 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 noun (Also<
  • Encyclic
  • Encyclical
)
Definitions
  1. An encyclical letter, esp. one from a pope. Shipley.

Webster 1913