a. and sb. [a. F. catholique (13th c. in Littré) ad. late L. catholic-us, a. Gr. καθολικός general, universal, f. καθολου (i.e., καθ᾽ ὄλου) on the whole, in general, as a whole, generally, universally, f. κατά concerning, in respect of, according to + ὄλος whole. (If immed. derived from L. or Gr., the Eng. word would, according to the regular analogy of words in -IC, have been accented catho·lic).]
I. In non-ecclesiastical use.
1. gen. Universal.
1551. T. Wilson, Logike, 2 a. For (Catholike) beyng a Greeke woorde, signifieth nothyng in Englishe, but uniuersall or common.
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Catholicke, vniuersall or generall.
1660. Ingelo, Bentiv. & Ur. (1682), II. The Indisputable Commands of a Catholick Dictator in knowledge.
1885. Times, 10 Sept., 7/1. Science is truly catholic, as Sir Lyon Playfair tells us, and is bounded only by the universe.
† 2. In specific uses: a. Universally prevalent: said e.g. of substances, actions, laws, principles, customs, conditions, etc. Obs.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., III. 248. This is to be holden for a catholike principle.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 418. It is a Catholicke principle, Euery thing is preserued and refreshed with his like.
1657. S. Purchas, Pol. Flying-Ins., 95. This is a common, but no catholique custome [among bees] for I have often observed the contrary.
1660. Sharrock, Vegetables, 79. The universal and catholick order of all bulbous plants, is … that about St. James’ tyde they be taken out of the ground.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., III. ii. § 14. 455. The Catholick Laws of nature which appear in the world.
1665–6. Phil. Trans., I. 192. All Bodies are made of one Catholick matter, common to them all.
1675. Evelyn, Terra (1729), 10. There is but one Catholic homogeneous, fluid matter.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., 112. This Catholick Principle of Gravitation.
1696. Edwards, Exist. & Provid. God, I. 3. A great proof of the catholick degeneracy of this present age.
† b. Universally applicable or efficient; spec. of medicines, remedies. Obs.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 43. It hath the prime place, for a Catholick medicine in exulcerations.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. v. I. v. (1651), 393. There is no Catholike medicine to be had: that which helps one is pernitious to another.
1658. A. Fox, trans. Würtz’ Surg., IV. ii. 309. A Catholick Plaister, used for all wounds and stabs.
1671. Salmon, Syn. Med., III. xlix. 559. A noble Extract, and a catholick purge.
1691. Ray, Creation, I. (1704), 115. Fire … which is the only Catholick Dissolvent.
1693. Slare, in Phil. Trans., XVII. 906. Tho’ Spirit of Wine be a very Catholic Menstruum.
1713. Lond. & Country Brewer, IV. (1743), 261. [Water] is the only Catholick Nourishment of all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals.
1752. Hume, Ess. (1777), II. 11. Accurate and just reasoning is the only Catholic remedy.
† c. More loosely: Common, prevalent. Obs.
1607. Dekker, Northw. Hoe, V. Wks. 1873, III. 74. What is more catholick i’ the city than for husbands daily for to forgive the nightly sins of their bedfellows?
1631. Massinger, Emper. of East, IV. iv. The pox, sir … Is the more catholic sickness.
1660. Sharrock, Vegetables, 130. Hot beds are the most general and catholick help.
† d. Entire, without exception. Obs.
1664. Evelyn, Sylva, 19. Deep interring of Roots is amongst the Catholick Mistakes.
1671. Dryden, Even. Love, IV. i. Alon. And, how fares my Son-in-law that lives there? Mel. In Catholick Health, Sir.
3. In current use: a. Of universal human interest or use; touching the needs, interests or sympathies of all men.
a. 1631. Donne, Serm., lxvi. (1640), 663. So are there some … Catholique, universall Psalmes, that apply themselves to all necessities.
1704. Swift, Mech. Operat. Spirit (1711), 279. All my Writings … for universal Nature, and Mankind in general. And of such Catholick Use I esteem this present Disquisition.
1838–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., III. v. § 4. Catholic poetry, by which I mean that which is good in all ages and countries.
1844. Emerson, Lect. New Eng. Ref., Wks. (Bohn), I. 264. A grand phalanx of the best of the human race, banded for some catholic object.
1867. Froude, Short Stud. (ed. 2), 363. What was of catholic rather than national interest.
b. Having sympathies with, or embracing, all: said of men, their feelings, tastes, etc.; also fig. of things. (Closely connected with 8.)
1586. T. Bright, A Treatise of Melancholie, iv. 16. The stomach becommeth the most Catholicke part in all the bodie, carying a more indifferent affection to what soever is receiued then anie part beside.
1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit., I. iv. 73. Others more catholic in their taste.
1620. J. Parkinson, Paradisus, xxvi. 215. Such as are Catholicke obseruers of all natures store.
1833. Lamb, Elia, Books & Read. I bless my stars for a taste so catholic, so unexcluding.
1851. Carlyle, Sterling, I. iv. (1872), 31. Of these two Universities, Cambridge is decidedly the more catholic (not Roman catholic, but Human catholic).
1878. Stevenson, Inland Voy. On these different manifestations, the sun poured its clear and catholic looks.
1879. Tourgee, Fool’s Err., xxxviii. 271. A man of unusually broad and catholic feeling.
4. Catholic Epistle: a name originally given to the ‘general’ epistles of James, Peter, and Jude, and the first of John, as not being addressed to particular churches or persons. The second and third epistles of John are now conventionally included among the number.
It is not certain that this was the original sense of ἐπιστολὴ καθολικὴ, since some early writers appear to use it in the sense ‘genuine and accepted’ (see CANONICAL): but the attribute has been understood in the sense ‘encyclical’ or ‘general’ since the 10th or 11th c.
1582. N. T. (Rhem.), James (heading), The Catholic Epistle of St. James the apostle.
1725. trans. Dupin’s Eccl. Hist., I. v. 69. The Encyclick, Circular, or Catholick Letters, were address’d to all Churches, or to all the Faithful.
1855. Westcott, Canon N. T. (1881), 395. It may be inferred that the seven Catholic Epistles were formed into a collection at the close of the third century.
II. In ecclesiastical use.
The earlier history of this lies outside English, and may be found in such works as Smith’s Dict. Christian Antiq. or in Lightfoot’s Ignatius, I. 398–400, 605–607; II. 310–312. Ἠ καθολικὴ ἐκκλησία ‘the catholic church’ or ‘church universal,’ was first applied to the whole body of believers as distinguished from an individual congregation or ‘particular body of Christians.’ But to the primary idea of extension ‘the ideas of doctrine and unity’ were superadded; and so the term came to connote the Church first as orthodox, in opposition to heretics, next as one historically, in opposition to schismatics. Out of this widest qualitative sense arose a variety of subordinate senses; it was applied to the faith the Church held, to particular communities or even individual members belonging to it, and especially in the East, to cathedrals as distinguished from parish churches, then later to parish churches as opposed to oratories or monastic chapels. After the separation of East and West ‘Catholic’ was assumed as its descriptive epithet by the Western or Latin Church, as ‘Orthodox’ was by the Eastern or Greek. At the Reformation the term ‘Catholic’ was claimed as its exclusive right by the body remaining under the Roman obedience, in opposition to the ‘Protestant’ or ‘Reformed’ National Churches. These, however, also retained the term, giving it, for the most part, a wider and more ideal or absolute sense, as the attribute of no single community, but only of the whole communion of the saved and saintly in all churches and ages. In England, it was claimed that the Church, even as Reformed, was the national branch of the ‘Catholic Church’ in its proper historical sense. As a consequence, in order to distinguish the unreformed Latin Church, its chosen epithet of ‘Catholic’ was further qualified by ‘Roman’; but see sense 7. On this analogy ANGLO-CATHOLIC has been used by some, since about 1835, of the Anglican Church.
5. Catholic Church, Church Catholic: the Church universal, the whole body of Christians.
1559. Injunctions by Queens Majestie, D iv. Ye shall praye for Christes holy Chatholique church, that is, for the whole congregation of Christian people, dispearsed throughout the whole worlde, and specially for the Church of England and Irelande.
1560–61. Scotch Conf. Faith, xvi. Whiche Kirk is Catholik, that is universall, becaus it conteanes the Elect of all aiges, all realmes, nationis, and tounges, be thai of the Jewis or be thai of the Gentiles, who have communioun and societie with God the Father, and with his Sone Christ Jesus.
1630. Prynne, Anti-Armin., 129. There is a holy Catholicke Church, to wit, the whole company of Gods Elect.
1645. Ussher, Body Div. (1647), 187. The Catholick Church, that is, God’s whole or universall Assembly.
1651. Baxter, Inf. Bapt., 304. I hope this learned man doth not take the particular Romane Church, for the Catholick Church.
1685. Ken, Ch. Catech., ‘Holy Cath. Ch.’
1839. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Ch., xi. (1847), 110. As members of the church catholic.
Mod. In this sense many accept the article of the Creed, ‘I believe in the holy catholic church.’
b. Of or belonging to the church universal, universal Christian.
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 94. He can neuer prooue his reseruation to be catholike or vniversally allowed and practised of the Church.
1651. C. Cartwright, Cert. Relig., I. 10. That Church whose Doctrine is most Catholick and universall must be the Catholick Church.
1657. Cromwell, Sp., 3 April. Such a Catholic interest of the people of God.
1777. Fletcher, Reconcil., Wks. 1795, IV. 211. A great friend to a catholic gospel.
1807. Knox & Jebb, Corr., I. 370. A catholic liturgy, must be formed on a catholic plan; that is, from a harmony of those dispersed and vital truths, which, in different ages, different countries, and different churches, were popularly, and effectually embodied, in established liturgies.
1882. Farrar, Early Chr., I. 250. Christianity in all Churches was, and ever must be, in its essence Catholic—one and indivisible.
6. As an epithet, applied to the Ancient Church, as it existed undivided, prior to the separation of East and West, and of a church or churches standing in historical continuity therewith, and claiming to be identical with it in doctrine, discipline, orders, and sacraments. (a.) After the separation, assumed by the Western or Latin Church, and so commonly applied historically. (b.) After the Reformation in the 16th c. claimed as its exclusive title by that part of the Western Church which remained under the Roman obedience (see 7); but (c.) held by Anglicans not to be so limited, but to include the Church of England, as the proper continuation in England, alike of the Ancient and the Western Church.
(Whatever the application, the implied sense is ‘the Church or Churches which now truly represent the ancient undivided Church of Christendom.’)
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 690/1. The very name he sayth of catholike, yt is to sai vniuersal, gaue to ward ye getting of hys credence ye catholike church gret autoritye.
c. 1534. Abp. Lee, in Lingard, Hist. Eng. (1855), V. i. 18/1, note. So that … the unitie of the faiethe and of the Catholique Chyrche [be] saved.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 47. Quhilk catholike kirk is trewly represented in all general counsellis.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., Wks. 1839, III. 517. The Christians of that time [before Constantine], except a few, in respect of whose paucity the rest were called the Catholic Church and others heretics.
c. 1670. Jer. Taylor, Duty of Clergy, ii. 4. The Catholic Church hath been too much and too soon divided … but in things simply necessary, God hath preserved us still unbroken: all nations and all ages recite the Creed … and all Churches have been governed by Bishops.
1704. Nelson, Fest. & Fasts, vii. (1739), 538. The ancientest Fathers of the Catholick Church.
1834. Tracts for Times, No. 61. We [English Church] are a branch of the Church Catholic.
1854. Hook, Ch. Dict., s.v. Creed, There are three creeds recognized by the catholic church. Ibid., s.v. Tradition, The great deference paid by the Church of England as a branch of the Catholic Church to tradition.
1866. Ld. Romilly, in Law Rep., 3 Eq. 29. The Catholic Church of Christ, of which the Church of England is a branch.
1872. Freeman, Gen. Sketch, vi. 11. The people of the Oriental provinces … putting forth or adopting doctrines which the Catholic Church, both of the Old and of the New Rome, looked on as heretical.
Hence, Of or belonging to this Church; of the true apostolic Church, orthodox.
a. Of belief, doctrine, etc.
c. 1500. Melusine (1888), 31. My byleue is as a Catholique byleue oughte for to be.
a. 1556. Cranmer, Wks. (1844), I. 9. An explication and assertion of the true catholic faith in the matter of the sacrament.
1549. Bk. Com. Prayer, Athan. Crede, And the Catholike faithe is this: That we worship one God in trinitie, and trinitie in unitie.
1634. Habington, Castara (Arb.), 112. The Catholique faith is the foundation on which he erects Religion.
1840. Tracts for Times, No. 85. vi. The Catholic or Church system of doctrine and worship.
1854. Hook, Ch. Dict., s.v. Image worship, Protesting against Roman corruptions of the Catholic Faith.
b. Of persons: Holding the faith of this Church; rightly believing, orthodox. (This and a. appear to be the earliest uses in English. The sb. is in 1425.)
c. 1500. Melusine (1888), 32. A man very catholoque & of good feith.
1531. Elyot, Gov., III. xxiii. Wherein no good catholyke man wyll any thynge doute, though they be meruaylous.
1552. Huloet, Catholyke or perfect Christian, orthodoxus.
1854. Hook, Ch. Dict., s.v., In ecclesiastical history … a catholic Christian denotes an orthodox Christian.
1881. Freeman, Hist. Geog. Eur., I. iv. 101. The lands ruled either by the Catholic Frank or by the Arian Goth.
c. Of the writers, fathers, or antiquity, of the ancient undivided church, or accepted by the orthodox historical church.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par., Pref. 14. Whatsoeuer in any catholike wryter is conteyned.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., xi. What Presbytery the primitiue Churches and Catholike fathers did acknowledge.
1842. Tracts for Times, No. 86. V. § 3. What is popularity when it is opposed to Catholic Antiquity?
d. Of a particular body: Forming part of, or in communion with, this church. (Cf. ANGLO-CATHOLIC.)
1833. Cruse, Eusebius, VI. xliii. 265. One bishop in a catholic church.
1854. Hook, Ch. Dict., s.v. Lights, We of the Anglo-Catholic Church. Ibid., s.v. Catholic, A Catholic Church means a branch of this one great society, as the Church of England is said to be a Catholic Church: the Catholic Church includes all the Churches in the world under their legitimate Bishops.
7. As applied (since the Reformation) to the Church of Rome (Ecclesia apostolica catholica Romana) = ROMAN CATHOLIC, q.v. (Opposed to Protestant, Reformed, Evangelical, Lutheran, Calvinistic, etc.)
ROMAN CATHOLIC is the designation known to English law; but ‘Catholic’ is that in ordinary use on the continent of Europe, especially in the Latin countries; hence historians frequently contrast ‘Catholic’ and ‘Protestant,’ especially in reference to the continent; and, in familiar non-controversial use, ‘Catholic’ is often said instead of Roman Catholic.
1554. (March) Q. Mary’s Injunct., in Wilkins, Concilia (1737), IV. 90. To remove them, and place catholic men in their rooms.
a. 1555. J. Bradford, in Foxe, A. & M. (1583), 1647. This Latine seruice is a playne marke of antichrists Catholike Synagoge. Ibid. (1563), 1844. The Catholike prelates of the Popes band.
1588. Allen, Admon., in Lingard, Hist. Eng. (1855), VI. 358. She [Q. Eliz.] hath abolished the Catholic religion.
1602. Carew, Cornwall, 71 a. A matter practised … as well by the reformed as Catholike Switzers.
1620. Fr. Hunt (title), Appeal to the King, proving that our Saviour was Author of the Catholic Roman Faith.
1622. Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1659), I. 287. His Majesties Roman Catholick-Subjects.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 215. If the Pope would be Head of the Catholique Church, the King would be Head of the Church of England.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 30. Whether … the Catholic heir [gave way] when the Protestant was preferred.
1845. Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., II. 513. What was begun by the evangelical governments, was carried on in an analogous manner by the catholic.
1845. Bright, Sp. Maynooth Grant, 16 April. A Protestant soldiery, who, at the beck and command of a Protestant priest, have butchered and killed a Catholic peasant.
1872. Freeman, Gen. Sketch, xiii. 252. That the government of each German state might set up which religion it pleased, Catholic or Protestant.
1873. Morley, Rousseau, I. 229. A Catholic country like France.
† b. Catholic Seat: = APOSTOLIC See. Obs.
In ancient times the καθολικοὶ θρόνοι or catholic sees, were those of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
1563. Foxe, A. & M. (1583), 798. The proud, cruell, and bloudy rage of the Catholique Seat.
c. Catholic King, his Catholic Majesty: a title given to the kings of Spain.
(In much earlier times the title belonged to the kings of France, Pipin being so called A.D. 767.)
1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind., To Rdr. (Arb.), 50. By the moste catholyke & puissaunt kynge Ferdinando. Ibid., 288. Wheruppon I wente into Spayne to the Catholyke kynge.
1588. Allen (title), Admonition to the Nobility and People of England … by the high and mightie kinge Catholike of Spaine.
1627. Sanderson, Serm., (1661), 356. He that … hath better title to the stile of most Catholick King than any that ever yet bare it … I mean the Devil, the Prince of this world.
1636. Massinger, Bashful Lover, IV. i. Ear-rings for the Catholic king.
1704. Lond. Gaz., No. 3987/3. To wait upon his Catholick Majesty.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 280. Does not his Catholic majesty claim a title to the possession of it?
d. See also B.
8. Recognizing, or having sympathies with, all Christians; broadly charitable in religious matters. (Cf. 3 b. which differs only in not being restricted to things ecclesiastical or religious.)
1658. Baxter, in H. Rogers, J. Howe, iii. (1863), 59. The Lord Protector is noted as a man of a catholic spirit, desirous of the unity and peace of all the servants of Christ.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. vii. 158. If such a temper was universal, we might be all Catholic Christians, whatever church or particular profession we joined to, or joined in.
1734. Watts, Reliq. Juv. (1789), 155. To see all the disciples of Christ grown up into such a catholic spirit, as to be ready to worship GOD their common Father … in the same assembly.
1874. Blackie, Self-Cult., 80. A spirit of deep and catholic piety.
† 9. transf. Orthodox (applied e.g. to orthodox Mohammedans). Obs.
1613. Purchas, Pilgr., VII. vii. 575. They are not all Catholike Mahumetans. Ibid. (1625), Pilgrimes, VI. i. § 3. By some they are accounted Catholique or true Mahumetans, and by others they are holden for heretiks.
10. Catholic (and) Apostolic Church: the religious body otherwise called Irvingites. (See quots. 1861, 1867.)
[1837. Testimony to Bps., etc. 32. That no section of the baptized bears the character of the one Holy Catholic Apostolic Church.]
1861. Norton, Restor. Apostles and Proph. in Cath. Apostolic Ch., 159. In assuming, as our only title and name, that of ‘the Catholic and Apostolic Church’—we arrogate to ourselves nothing, for we do not appropriate it in any exclusive sense.
1867. Address, in Miller, Irvingism, i. 5. Catholic and Apostolic Churches, a name which we have not assumed, and to which we have no exclusive right…. But it is the only name by which we can, without protest, suffer ourselves to be called.
1888. Whitaker’s Almanack, Relig. Sects, Places … certified to the Registrar-General on behalf of persons described as … Catholic Apostolic Church.
B. sb.
1. A member of a church recognized or claiming to be ‘Catholic’ in sense A. 6; e.g., an orthodox member of the Church before the disruption of East and West, as opposed to an Arian or other ‘heretic’; of the Latin Church as opposed to the Greek or any separating sect or community (e.g., the Lollards); of a church or churches now taken to represent the primitive Church.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., IX. xxvi. 63. He was a constant Catholike All Lollard he hatyt and Heretike.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., IV. § 5. Let the Church of Rome be what it will,… hold them for Catholics, or hold them for Heretics, it is not a thing … in this present question greatly material.
1579. J. Jones, Preserv. Bodie & Soule, Ded. It is … of the faithfull, Christian, and Catholike certainly beleeued.
1609. Bible (Douay), Proemial Annot., Some of these bookes … were sometimes doubted of by some Catholiques, and called Apochryphal.
1702. trans. Le Clerc’s Prim. Fathers, 241. An Edict bearing date the 27th of February (380) … That those who would profess it should be called Catholics, and the others Hereticks.
1854. Hook, Ch. Dict., s.v., Let the member of the Church of England assert his right to the name of Catholic, since he is the only person in England who has a right to that name. The English Romanist is a Roman Schismatic, and not a Catholic.
1860. Froude, Hist. Eng., VI. 39. I must again remind my readers of the distinction between Catholic and Papist. Three quarters of the English people were Catholics; that is, they were attached to the hereditary and traditionary doctrines of the Church.
1872. Freeman, Gen. Sketch, v. 102. He [Chlodwig] became … not only a Christian but a Catholic … all the other Teutonic Kings were Arians.
2. spec. A member of the Roman Church.
1570. B. Googe, Pop. Kingd., IV. (1880), 60. Accounting here for Catholickes, themselves & all their traine.
1581. (title) A Checke or reproofe of M. Howlets … with an answere to the reasons … why Catholikes (as they are called) refuse to goe to church.
1588. Allen, Admon., in Lingard, Hist. Eng. (1855), VI. 358/1. Not tolerable to the masters of her [Q. Eliz.] own sect, and to all Catholics in the world most ridiculous.
1602. Bp. J. Rider (title), A Friendly Caveat to Irelands Catholickes.
1602. Warner, Alb. Eng., IX. xlix. (1612), 226. Euen Catholiques (that erred name doth please the Papists).
1611. Bible, Pref. Why did the Catholicks (meaning Popish Romanists) alwayes goe in ieopardie, for refusing to goe to heare it?
1636. Featly, Clavis Myst., xxxiv. 483. Other of the Pope his stoutest Champions … we are (say they) sirnamed Catholikes, therefore we are so.
1650. Sir E. Nicholas, in N. Papers (1886), I. 18. That which has been proposed concerninge the Catholics.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. vi. 155. I am a Catholic of the Roman Church.
1845. Bright, Sp., 16 April. The Irish Catholics would thank you infinitely more if you were to wipe out that foul blot.
1872. Freeman, Gen. Sketch, xiii. 254. The religious wars between the Catholics and Protestants within the country [France].
1876. Green, Short Hist., vii. § 4. The last hopes of the English Catholics were dispelled by the Queen’s refusal to take part in the Council of Trent.
3. Defined or limited by a word prefixed, as † English Catholic, † Popish Catholic, ANGLO-CATHOLIC, ROMAN CATHOLIC, q.v.
(See a different use of English Catholics, in sense 2 quot. 1876.)
1577. Fulke (title), Two Treatises … Answere of the Christian Protestant to the proud challenge of a Popish Catholicke.
1585. Sir W. Harbert (title), Letter to a Roman pretended Catholike.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy., I. 597. Many rebels against her maiestie and popish catholiques.
1837. J. H. Newman, Par. Serm. (1840), III. xiv. The Holy Church throughout all the world is broken into many fragments … we are the English Catholics, abroad are the Roman Catholics … elsewhere are the Greek Catholics, and so on.
1854. Hook, Ch. Dict., s.v. Protestant, We tell the Papist that with respect to him we are Protestant; we tell the Protestant Dissenter that in respect to him we are Catholics; and we may be called Protestant or Protesting Catholics, or as some of our writers describe us, Anglo-Catholics.
b. German Catholic, Old Catholic: names taken by religious parties who separated from the Roman Catholic communion in Germany, the former under Ronge in 1845 (reunited 1848), the latter after the Vatican Council in 1870–71.
1871. Sunday Mag., Nov., 84/1. The Old Catholics have great hopes of support from the High Church party in England.
† 4. = CATHOLICOS. Obs.
1612. Brerewood, Lang. & Relig., xiv. (1635), 173. The Catholique of Armenia. Ibid., xxiv. 171. They acknowledge obedience … to two Patriarchs of their owne: whom they terme Catholiques.
1735. Johnson, trans. Lobo’s Abyssinia, 307. Catholick like Patriarch is no more than an empty Title without the Power.
C. attrib. Of, relating to, affecting, or on the side of (Roman) Catholics. In Catholic Emancipation, etc. [In construction not distinct from the adj.]
1791. J. Milner (title), A short Pamphlet on the Catholic Question.
1795. Duigenan (title), Speech on the Catholic Bill in the Irish House of Commons.
1805. Ld. Hawkesbury (title), Speech in the House of Lords, 10th of May on the Catholic Petition.
1809. Southey, Ess. (1832), II. 301. For these people Catholic Emancipation can do nothing.
1878. Spencer Walpole, Hist. Eng., II. vii. 145. The anti-Catholic members of the Cabinet [in 1826] were as much opposed to their Catholic colleagues as to their regular opponents. Ibid., note. Persons in favour of emancipation were classed as Catholic statesmen.
