[ec.u.men.i.cal] adj [LL oecumenicus, fr. LGk oikoumenikos, fr. Gk oikoumene the inhabited world, fr. fem. of oikoumenos, pres. pass. part. of oikein to inhabit, fr. oikos house--more at vicinity] (ca. 1587) 1: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
2. a: of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches b: promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation -- ec.u.men.i.cal.ly adv