Encyclical: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
encyclical
[ ษชnหsษชklษชkษl ]
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
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:
๐ต๐น encรญclica
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเคจเฅเคฆเฅเคถ
๐ฉ๐ช Enzyklika
๐ฎ๐ฉ ensiklik
๐บ๐ฆ ะตะฝัะธะบะปัะบะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ encyklika
๐ฏ๐ต ๅๅ
๐ซ๐ท encyclique
๐ช๐ธ encรญclica
๐น๐ท sirkรผler
๐ฐ๐ท ํ์น
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฑุณุงูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ encyklika
๐ธ๐ฐ encyklika
๐จ๐ณ ้่ฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ enciklika
๐ฎ๐ธ kringum
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะฐัะฝะฐะผะฐ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแชแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ ensiklika
๐ฒ๐ฝ encรญclica
Word origin
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.