catholicity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the quality of being broad, universal, or inclusive in range or sympathies

   His catholicity of good nature allowed him to tolerate people from every walk of life.

2. 2
   noun

   the doctrines, character, or condition of the Catholic Church

   The historian examined medieval debates about catholicity and church authority.

From catholic + -ity, ultimately from Greek katholikos, 'universal' or 'general,' based on kath' holou, 'on the whole.' The lowercase sense denotes breadth or universality; the ecclesiastical sense refers specifically to Catholic doctrine or identity.

Topics