a. and sb. [ad. late L. encyclicus, an altered form (with substitution of suffix) of encyclius, a. Gr. ἐγκύκλιος of same meaning, f. ἐν in + κύκλ-ος circle.]

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  A.  adj.

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  1.  = ENCYCLICAL A. 1, 2.

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1824.  Hist. Europe, in Ann. Reg., 195/2. His recovery was followed by the promulgation of an Encyclic letter.

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1866.  Felton, Anc. & Mod. Gr., I. ix. 438. The encyclic, or liberal education at this period, embraced seven departments.

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  2.  nonce-use. Encircling.

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1850.  Mrs. Browning, Vis. Poets, I. 202. Dropping from Heaven’s encyclic rim.

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  B.  sb. = ENCYCLICAL B.

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1851.  Mariotti, Italy, in 1848, iv. 251. The Papal encyclic of the 19th April, entered into no man’s views.

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1864.  Q. Rev., July, 127. The terms of the Encyclic imply a separation between liberty and Roman Catholicism.

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