<P> The word catholic ( with lowercase c ; derived via Late Latin catholicus , from the Greek adjective καθολικός ( katholikos ) , meaning `` universal '' ) comes from the Greek phrase καθόλου ( katholou ) , meaning `` on the whole '' , `` according to the whole '' or `` in general '' , and is a combination of the Greek words κατά meaning `` about '' and ὅλος meaning `` whole '' . The term Catholic ( usually written with uppercase C in English ) was first used to describe the Christian Church in the early 2nd century to emphasize its universal scope . In the context of Christian ecclesiology , it has a rich history and several usages . </P>
<P> The word catholic ( with lowercase c ; derived via Late Latin catholicus , from the Greek adjective καθολικός ( katholikos ) , meaning `` universal '' ) comes from the Greek phrase καθόλου ( katholou ) , meaning `` on the whole '' , `` according to the whole '' or `` in general '' , and is a combination of the Greek words κατά meaning `` about '' and ὅλος meaning `` whole '' . The term Catholic ( usually written with uppercase C in English ) was first used to describe the Christian Church in the early 2nd century to emphasize its universal scope . In the context of Christian ecclesiology , it has a rich history and several usages . </P>
when was the first time the word catholic was used
when was the first time the word catholic was used
in the early 2nd century
in the early 2nd century