Basilica Definition
bə-sĭlĭ-kə
basilicas
noun
basilicas
A public building of ancient Rome having a central nave with an apse at one or both ends and two side aisles formed by rows of columns, which was used as a courtroom or assembly hall.
American Heritage
A royal palace.
Webster's New World
A Christian church building of a similar design, having a nave with a semicircular apse, two or four side aisles, a narthex, and a clerestory.
American Heritage
In ancient Rome, a rectangular building with a broad nave ending in an apse, and flanked by colonnaded aisles, used as a courtroom, public hall, etc.
Webster's New World
A church that has been accorded certain privileges by the pope.
American Heritage
Other Word Forms of Basilica
Noun
Singular:
basilica
Plural:
basilicasOrigin of Basilica
-
From Latin basilica, from Ancient Greek basilike, from basilike stoa, "royal hall", ultimately from Ancient Greek βασιλικός (basilikos, “royal”), from βασιλεύς (basileus, “king, chief”).
From Wiktionary
Latin from Greek basilikē from feminine of basilikos royal from basileus king
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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