basilica
noun pl. basilicas
- Obsolete a royal palace
- 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.
- a Christian church built in this style
- R.C.Ch. a church granted certain ceremonial rights
See basilica in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(bə-sĭlˈĭ-kə)
nouna. 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.
b. 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.
- Roman Catholic Church A church that has been accorded certain privileges by the pope.
Related Forms:
- ba·silˈi·can (-kən) adjective
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basilica
after a plan of fourth-centuryA.D. St. Peter's, Rome
A. apse B. transept C. nave D. aisles E. narthex F. atrium Learn more about basilica
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