Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - catholic

 noun  Date: 15th century  1. a person who belongs to the universal Christian church  2. a member of a ~ church; especially Roman ~ CATHOLIC  adjective  Etymology: Middle English catholik, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French catholique, from Late Latin ~us, from Greek katholikos universal, general, from katholou in general, from kata by + holos whole — more at cata-, safe  Date: 14th century  1.  a. often capitalized of, relating to, or forming the church universal  b. often capitalized of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it  c. capitalized Roman Catholic  2. comprehensive, universal; especially broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests a ~ taste in music  • ~ally adverb  • ~ize verb