What does catholicate mean?
Catholicate is a rare English verb with two related senses. Most directly, it means to make someone Catholic or convert them to Catholicism. Its older and less common figurative sense is to make something universal, general, or applicable to everyone. The word is now encountered mainly in historical, theological, or deliberately literary writing, and it is not a usual choice in neutral everyday English. A speaker wanting the more familiar modern term would normally use Catholicize for the first sense and universalize for the second. Catholicate is formed from Catholic plus the verbal suffix -ate, reflecting the straightforward idea of making something Catholic. Its associations with conversion and with the idea of universality give it a distinctive historical character. Although its literal religious sense is relatively narrow, the word’s capacity to suggest generalization or inclusiveness can make it effective in formal and figurative prose.
verb (transitive)To make someone Catholic, especially by converting them to Catholicism. In a rarer historical sense, to make something universal or general.
- To convert someone to Catholicism or make them a Catholic.
- To make something universal, general, or applicable beyond a particular group or context.
"The missionary sought to catholicate the local community."
"The missionary sought to catholicate the local community."
"The authors attempted to catholicate the movement's principles so that they would apply universally."
A small verb with a grand ambition: first to make a person Catholic, and ultimately to make a thing universal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does catholicate come from?
The word was formed in English from Catholic and the verbal suffix -ate, with the sense of making someone or something Catholic. Catholic ultimately derives from Latin catholicus, a term associated with Greek katholikos, meaning “universal” or “general,” and ultimately from kata- and holos, referring to something whole or complete. The later sense of catholicate meaning “to make universal” developed through the same idea of extending something beyond a limited or particular sphere.
Related word forms
How catholicate is actually used
This is a rare, chiefly historical or literary verb rather than a common form of contemporary English. Its second, broader sense is also uncommon and may sound deliberately archaic.
Easily confused with catholicate
Catholic is primarily an adjective or noun referring to the Catholic Church or its adherents, while catholicate is a verb meaning to make someone Catholic.