encyclical

English

Etymology

From Late Latin encyclicus +‎ -al, from Ancient Greek ἐγκύκλιος (enkúklios, “circular, general”), from ἐν- (en-) + κύκλος (kúklos, “circle”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɛnˈsɪklɪkəl/

Noun

encyclical (plural encyclicals)

  1. A papal letter, intended for general circulation in the Catholic Church.
    Synonym: encyclical letter
    • 2026 May 25, Angela Giuffrida, “Pope Leo denounces ‘culture of power’ driving rise of AI”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian‎[1], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 24 October 2026:
      In his encyclical – the first major text on safeguarding humankind of his papacy – he also apologised for the Catholic church’s long delay in condemning slavery, describing it as “a wound in Christian memory”, and spoke of the “new forms of slavery” due to the digital economy.

Translations

Adjective

encyclical (not comparable)

  1. Intended for general circulation.
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