Encyclical: meaning, definitions and examples

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encyclical

 

[ ษชnหˆsษชklษชkษ™l ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious document

An encyclical is a circular letter, especially one sent by a pope to the bishops of the Catholic Church. It typically addresses a particular issue or doctrine the Church wishes to clarify.

Synonyms

directive, letter, message

Examples of usage

  • The pope issued an encyclical on climate change.
  • Many encyclicals guide the moral teachings of the Church.
  • The encyclical addressed social justice issues.
  • I read the latest encyclical during my studies.
  • Encyclicals are influential in Catholic theology.

Translations

Translations of the word "encyclical" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น encรญclica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคจเฅเคฆเฅ‡เคถ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Enzyklika

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ensiklik

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะตะฝั†ะธะบะปั–ะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ encyklika

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ›žๅ‹…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท encyclique

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ encรญclica

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sirkรผler

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํšŒ์น™

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุณุงู„ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ encyklika

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ encyklika

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้€š่ฐ•

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ enciklika

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kringum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐั€ะฝะฐะผะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ”แƒœแƒชแƒ˜แƒ™แƒšแƒ˜แƒ™แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ensiklika

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ encรญclica

Etymology

The term 'encyclical' comes from the Latin word 'encyclical', which means 'circular' or 'general'. It is derived from the Greek word 'enkรฝklios', meaning 'circular' or 'surrounding', which is related to a circle ('kyklos'). Initially, encyclicals were used to address various issues within the early Christian church. Over time, the usage evolved to specifically denote papal letters that articulate the Catholic Church's positions on significant doctrinal and social issues. The tradition of encyclicals dates back to the 18th century and has been a critical tool for popes to communicate doctrinal teachings to the bishops and faithful worldwide.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,799, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.