encyclical

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an authoritative pastoral letter issued by the pope and circulated broadly within the Roman Catholic Church

   The pope's encyclical addressed environmental responsibility and social justice.

2. 2
   adj

   formal: intended for general or wide circulation

   The bishop sent an encyclical letter to every parish in the region.

From Late Latin encyclicus, from Greek enkyklios, 'circular or general,' based on kyklos, 'circle.' An encyclical was literally a letter sent around for broad circulation; the noun became especially associated with papal teaching documents.

Topics