Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CATH'O-LIC, a. [Gr. καθολικος, κατα and ὁλικος, from ὁλος, the whole; L. catholicus; Fr. catholique; Sp. catolico; It. cattolico.]

1. Universal or general; as, the Catholic church. Originally this epithet was given to the Christian church in general, but is now appropriated to the Romish church, and in strictness there is no Catholic church, or universal Christian communion. The epithet is sometimes set in opposition to heretic, sectary or schismatic.
2. Liberal; not narrow-minded, partial, or bigoted; as, a catholic man.
3. Liberal; as, catholic principles. Catholic epistles, the epistles of the apostles which are addressed to all the faithful, and not to a particular church.

CATH'O-LIC, n.

A papist.

CA-THOL'-IC-AL, a.

General.

CATH'O-LI-CISM, n.

1. Adherence to the Catholic church.
2. Universality, or the orthodox faith of the whole church. – Pearson.
3. More generally, liberality of sentiments. This is the renowned seat of catholicism. – E. D. Griffin.

CATH-O-LIC'I-TY, n.

1. The system of doctrine, discipline and worship held by the church of Rome. In this sense the word is used chiefly by Roman Catholic writers.
2. The system of doctrine, discipline and worship held in common by the Latin or Roman Catholic church, the Oriental or Greek church, and a part of the church of England – or the system held by the fathers and councils of the first five centuries. In this sense the word is used by some writers of the English church. – Bacon.
3. The religion of the Romanists. [1841 Addenda, only definition.]

CATH'O-LI-CIZE, v.i.

To become a Catholic. [Little used.]

CATH'O-LIC-LY, adv.

Generally; in a catholic manner. – Sir L. Cary.

CATH'O-LIC-NESS, n.

Universality. – Brevint.

CA-THOL'I-CON, n. [Gr. καθολικον ιαμα, universal remedy.]

A remedy for all diseases; a universal remedy; a remedy supposed to be efficacious in purging away all humors; a panacea; a kind of soft purgative electuary so called.

CA-THOL'I-COS, n.

The spiritual head of the Armenian church, who ordains bishops and consecrates the sacred oil used in religious ceremonies. – Coleman.

CAT'-HOOK, n.

A strong hook fitted to the cat-block. – Mar. Dict.

CA-TIL-I-NA'RI-AN, a.

Resembling Catiline, the Roman.

CAT-I-LI-NA'RI-AN, n.

One who resembles Catiline.

CAT'I-LIN-ISM, n.

The practices of Catiline, the Roman conspirator; conspiracy.

CAT'KIN, n. [from cat and kin.]

In botany, a species of inflorescence, consisting of many scales ranged along a stalk, slender as a thread, which is the common receptacle, as in hazel, birch, oak, willow, poplar, &c.; so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. – Martyn.

CAT'-LIKE, a.

Resembling a cat. – Shak.

CAT'LING, n.

1. A dismembering knife, used by surgeons. – Harris.
2. The down or moss growing about walnut trees, resembling the hair of a cat. – Harris.
3. Catgut. Qu. – Shak.

CAT'-MINT, n.

A plant of the genus Nepeta, so called because cats eat it.

CAT'MINT, or CAT'NIP, n.

A plant.

CA-TO'NI-AN, a.

Pertaining to or resembling Cato, the Roman, who was remarkable for his severity of manners; grave; severe; inflexible.

CAT-O-NINE-TAILS, n.

A whip with nine lashes.

CA-TOP'TER, or CA-TOP'TRON, n. [Gr. κατοπτρον. See Catoptrics.]

An optical glass or instrument. – Dict.

CA-TOP'TRIC, or CA-TOP'TRIC-AL, a. [See Catoptrics.]

Relating to catoptrics, or vision by reflection.

CA-TOP'TRICS, n. [Gr. κατοπτρικος, from κατοπτρον, a mirror, from κατα, against, and οπτομαι, to see.]

That part of optics which explains the properties of reflected light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies. – Encyc.

CA-TOP'TRO-MAN-CY, n. [Gr. κατοπτρομαντεια; κατοπτρος, a mirror, and μαντεια, divination.]

A species of divination among the ancients, which was performed by letting down a mirror into water, for a sick person to look at his face in it. If his countenance appeared distorted and ghastly, it was an ill omen; if fresh and healthy, it was favorable. – Encyc.