What is "ecumenic"

Ecumenic \Ec`u*men"ic\, Ecumenical \Ec`u*men"ic*al\, a. [L. oecumenicus, Gr. ? (sc. ?) the inhabited world, fr. ? to inhabit, from o'i^kos house, dwelling. See Economy.] General; universal; in ecclesiastical usage, that which concerns the whole church; as, an ecumenical council.

Ecumenical Bishop, a title assumed by the popes.

Ecumenical council. See under Council.

a. ecumenical.

adj. concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions; "ecumenical thinking"; "ecumenical activities"; "the ecumenical movement" [syn: oecumenic, ecumenical, oecumenical]