ecumenical
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ecumenical — late 16c., representing the entire (Christian) world, formed in English as an ecclesiastical word, from L.L. oecumenicus general, universal, from Gk. oikoumenikos, from he oikoumene ge the inhabited world (as known to the ancient Greeks); the… … Etymology dictionary
ecumenical — *universal, cosmic, catholic, cosmopolitan Antonyms: provincial: diocesan … New Dictionary of Synonyms
ecumenical — meaning ‘relating to the whole Christian world’, is spelt ecu and not (as formerly) oecu . The root is Greek oikoumenē ‘the inhabited world’. The first syllable is pronounced either ek or eek … Modern English usage
ecumenical — [adj] general all comprehensive, all inclusive, all pervading, catholic, comprehensive, cosmic, cosmopolitan, global, inclusive, planetary, unifying, universal, worldwide; concepts 537,772 … New thesaurus
ecumenical — ► ADJECTIVE 1) representing a number of different Christian Churches. 2) promoting or relating to unity among the world s Christian Churches. DERIVATIVES ecumenically adverb. ORIGIN Greek oikoumenikos, from oikoumen the inhabited earth … English terms dictionary
ecumenical — [ek΄yo͞o men′i kəl, ek΄yəmen′i kəl] adj. [LL oecumenicus < Gr oikoumenikos, of or from the whole world < oikoumenē ( gē), the inhabited (world) < oikein, to dwell, inhabit < oikos: see ECO ] 1. general, or universal; esp., of or… … English World dictionary
Ecumenical — Ecumenic Ec u*men ic, Ecumenical Ec u*men ic*al, a. [L. oecumenicus, Gr. ? (sc. ?) the inhabited world, fr. ? to inhabit, from o i^kos house, dwelling. See {Economy}.] General; universal; in ecclesiastical usage, that which concerns the whole… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
ecumenical — ecumenically, adv. /ek yoo men i keuhl/ or, esp. Brit., /ee kyoo /, adj. 1. general; universal. 2. pertaining to the whole Christian church. 3. promoting or fostering Christian unity throughout the world. 4. of or pertaining to a movement… … Universalium
ecumenical — [[t]i͟ːkjuːme̱nɪk(ə)l, e̱k [/t]] ADJ: usu ADJ n Ecumenical activities, ideas, and movements try to unite different Christian Churches. [FORMAL] ...ecumenical church services... He was deeply involved in the ecumenical movement … English dictionary
ecumenical — adj. Ecumenical is used with these nouns: ↑council, ↑movement, ↑theology … Collocations dictionary
