catholic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a member of a Catholic church
  2. adjective of or relating to or supporting Catholicism
    • the Catholic Church
  3. adjective satellite free from provincial prejudices or attachments
    • catholic in one's tastes

WordNet

Cath"o*lic adjective
Etymology
L. catholicus, Gr. , universel, general; down, wholly + whole, probably akin to E. solid: cf. F. catholique.
Definitions
  1. Universal or general; as, the catholic faith.
    Men of other countries [came] to bear their part in so great and catholic a war. Southey.
    ✍ This epithet, which is applicable to the whole Christian church, or its faith, is claimed by Roman Catholics to belong especially to their church, and in popular usage is so limited.
  2. Not narrow-minded, partial, or bigoted; liberal; as, catholic tastes.
  3. Of or pertaining to, or affecting the Roman Catholics; as, the Catholic emancipation act.
Cath"o*lic noun
Definitions
  1. A person who accepts the creeds which are received in common by all parts of the orthodox Christian church.
  2. An adherent of the Roman Catholic church; a Roman Catholic.

Webster 1913