Ecumenic \Ec`u*men"ic\, Ecumenical \Ec`u*men"ic*al\, a. [L. oecumenicus, Gr. ? (sc. ?) the inhabited world, fr. ? to inhabit, from ? house, dwelling. See Economy.]

General; universal; in ecclesiastical usage, that which concerns the whole church; as, an ecumenical council. [Written also [oe]cumenical.]

Ecumenical Bishop, a title assumed by the popes.

Ecumenical council. See under Council.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)