Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- Roman Catholic Church. a letter addressed by the pope to all the bishops of the church.
adjective
- (of a letter) intended for wide or general circulation; general.
noun
- a letter sent by the pope to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world
adjective Also: encyclic
- (of letters) intended for general or wide circulation
in reference to a letter sent by the Pope to all the bishops, 1640s, from Late Latin encyclicus, from Latin encyclius, from Greek enkyklios “in a circle, circular” (see encyclopedia). As a noun, from 1837.
A letter from the pope to the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he lays down policy on religious, moral, or political issues.