(n) large genus of epiphytic and lithophytic orchids of tropical and subtropical Americas and West Indies; formerly included in genus Epidendrum, Syn. genus Encyclia
{ } a. [ L. encyclios of a circle, general, Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; in + &unr_; circle: cf. F. encyclique. See Cycle. ] Sent to many persons or places; intended for many, or for a whole order of men; general; circular; as, an encyclical letter of a council, of a bishop, or the pope.