How Do You Spell CATHOLIC?

Pronunciation: [kˈaθlɪk] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Catholic" is often confused due to its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈkæθəlɪk/. The "th" in "Catholic" is pronounced like a "th" in "the," which can make it difficult for non-native English speakers to spell. It's important to remember the correct spelling since "Catholic" refers to the religion and its adherents. Overall, the spelling of "Catholic" is straightforward once the pronunciation is understood.

CATHOLIC Meaning and Definition

  1. Catholic (adjective):

    1. Of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church: The term "catholic" specifically refers to matters related to the doctrines, practices, or beliefs of the Christian Church under the papal authority and communion. It relates to the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church as established in Western Christianity.

    2. Universal or comprehensive in scope or application: Used more broadly, "catholic" describes something or someone that is all-encompassing, comprehensive, or applicable to a wide range of situations, ideas, or beliefs. It implies inclusiveness and openness to different approaches or perspectives.

    3. Wide-ranging or diverse: In a general context, "catholic" can indicate being broad-minded or tolerant towards different ideas, cultures, or beliefs. It suggests being open to a variety of knowledge, experiences, or viewpoints without prejudice or bias.

    4. Involving or reflecting the ideals of the Catholic Church: By extension, "catholic" may indicate the adherence to certain values, principles, or virtues typically associated with Catholicism, such as love, compassion, and charity.

    5. Not limited or exclusive to a particular group or faction: "Catholic" can denote something that is not confined to a specific sect, group, or clique, suggesting universality or inclusivity.

    The term "catholic" is derived from the Latin word "catholicus," meaning universal or general. It originally appeared in the early Christian Church to describe its universal nature, encompassing all believers regardless of nationality or culture. Over time, the word's meaning evolved to include the specific doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church while also retaining a broader connotation of universality.

  2. • Universal; general; liberal; not narrow-minded or bigoted.
    • A name commonly applied to the adherents of the Church of Rome.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CATHOLIC *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CATHOLIC

Etymology of CATHOLIC

The word "catholic" originates from the Greek word "katholikos" (καθολικός), which means "universal" or "general". It stems from the combination of the prefix "kata" (meaning "concerning" or "according to") and "holos" (meaning "whole" or "complete"). In the early Christian Church, the term "catholic" was used to describe the belief in a universal or all-encompassing faith. It was first used in this context by Saint Ignatius of Antioch in his letter to the Smyrnaeans around the year 107 AD. Over time, the term "catholic" became associated with the specific Christian denomination that later became known as the Catholic Church.

Idioms with the word CATHOLIC

  • is the Pope a Catholic? The idiom "is the Pope a Catholic?" is a rhetorical question used to sarcastically express absolute certainty or a fact that is considered obvious or known by everyone. It is often used to emphasize that the answer to a question is incredibly evident or self-evident.
  • Catholic twins The idiom "Catholic twins" refers to a pair of children born close in time to each other, typically within nine months. It is a light-hearted, humorous way of suggesting that the interval between their birth and their parents' marriage was relatively short.
  • is the pope Catholic The idiom "is the pope Catholic?" is a rhetorical question used to express overwhelming agreement, certainty, or the obviousness of a statement or situation. It implies that the answer to the question is a resounding "yes," as the pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and would unquestionably be Catholic.
  • be more Catholic than the Pope (himself) The idiom "be more Catholic than the Pope (himself)" means to be excessively or overly zealous or strict in adhering to the principles, rules, or traditions of a particular religion, group, or organization. It suggests that someone is more devoted or 'holier' than the authoritative figure or leader of that particular group.
  • more Catholic than the Pope (himself) The idiom "more Catholic than the Pope (himself)" is used to describe someone who is excessively or overly zealous in their adherence to religious dogma or practices. It implies that the person is more strict, devout, or righteous in their beliefs than even the highest authority figure within their religion, like the Pope in Catholicism.
  • catholic bagel

Similar spelling words for CATHOLIC

Plural form of CATHOLIC is CATHOLICS

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