Catholic



The word Catholic, refers to a collection of all things, all embracing; inclusive, and of general interest. The first use of "Catholic" was by the church father Saint Ignatius of Antioch in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans. It also refers to the one, true, universal tradition which was established by Jesus Christ, a child born of immaculate conception and appointed to die for the redemption of others.

Etymology
The word, derived via Late Latin catholicus, from the Greek adjective καθολικός katholikos 'universal') comes from the Greek phrase καθόλου katholou 'on the whole, according to the whole, in general', and is a combination of the Greek words κατά 'about' and ὅλος 'whole'.

The word in English can mean "relating to the historic doctrine and rituals of the Universal Church".

In broad use, it derives its English meaning directly from its root, and is currently used to mean the following:
 * including a wide variety of things; all-embracing -
 * universal or of general interest; - 1867  J. A. Froude Short Studies 363   What was of catholic rather than national interest.
 * liberal, having broad interests, or wide sympathies; 1833  C. Lamb Thoughts on Books. in Elia 2nd Ser.   I bless my stars for a taste so catholic, so unexcluding.or
 * inclusive, inviting 1885  Times (Weekly ed.) 11 Sept. 7/1   Science is truly catholic, and is bounded only by the universe.