pro-Catholic
|pro-cath-o-lic|
🇺🇸
/proʊˈkæθəlɪk/
🇬🇧
/prəʊˈkæθəlɪk/
in favor of Catholicism
Etymology
'pro-Catholic' is formed from the prefix 'pro' which originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pro' where 'pro-' meant 'for' or 'in favor of', combined with 'Catholic' which originates ultimately from Greek 'katholikós'.
'Catholic' changed from Greek 'katholikós' into Late Latin 'catholicus', passed through Old French 'catholique' and Middle English 'Catholic'; the modern English compound 'pro-Catholic' arose by adding the Latin-derived prefix 'pro-' to indicate being 'for' Catholicism.
Initially 'katholikós' meant 'general' or 'universal', but over time 'Catholic' came to refer specifically to the Christian tradition (especially the Roman Catholic Church); with the prefix 'pro-' the compound's meaning became 'in favor of the Catholic Church'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who supports or advocates for the Roman Catholic Church; a Catholic supporter.
Many pro-Catholics attended the interfaith meeting to express their views.
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Adjective 1
supporting or favorably disposed toward the Roman Catholic Church or Catholicism.
The committee adopted a pro-Catholic position on the school funding issue.
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Last updated: 2025/10/18 13:14