basilica
pronunciation
How to pronounce basilica in British English:
UK [bəˈzɪlɪkə]
How to pronounce basilica in American English:
US [bəˈsɪlɪkə]
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- Noun:
- an early Christian church designed like a Roman basilica; or a Roman Catholic church or cathedral accorded certain privileges
- a Roman building used for public administration
Word Origin
- basilica (n.)
- 1540s, from Latin basilica "building of a court of justice," and, by extension, church built on the plan of one, from Greek (stoa) basilike "royal (portal)," the portico of the archon basileus, the official who dispensed justice in Athens, from basileus "king" (see Basil). In Rome, applied specifically to the seven principal churches founded by Constantine.
Example
- 1. Cranes and cement-mixers toil behind a metal fence running alongside the basilica .
- 2. A 1550 letter from michelangelo moaning about hold-ups in his work on the dome of st peter 's basilica .
- 3. Is this a basilica or a law court ?
- 4. Of or relating to or resembling a basilica .
- 5. Basilica cistern , back from when istanbul was known as constantinople .