cathedral Definition
ca·thedral (kə t̸hē′drəl)
noun
- the main church of a bishop's see, containing the cathedra
- loosely any large, imposing church
Etymology: ME < OFr < LL cathedralis (ecclesia), (church) of a bishop's seat < L cathedra: see cathedra
adjective
- of, like, or containing a cathedra
- official; authoritative
- of or like a cathedral
cathedral Synonyms
cathedral
n.
principal church, bishop's seat, temple, house of God, house of prayer, Holy place, minster, basilica, duomo; see also church 1, temple.Parts of a cathedral include: altar, sanctuary, holy of holies, sacristy, sacrarium, holy table, baptistery, chapel, chancel, apse, choir, nave, aisle, transept, crypt, pew, seat, pulpit, confessional.
Famous cathedrals include: St. Peter's (Rome); St. Paul's (London); Notre Dame (Paris); St. Matthew's, Washington National (Washington D.C.); St. John the Divine, St. Patrick's (New York).
Famous cathedrals are also at: Rouen, Beauvais, Amiens, Strasbourg, Reims, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Cologne, Canterbury, Lincoln, Wells, Nidaros, Madrid, Seville, Mexico City.
cathedral Usage Examples
Preposition: of
diocese: The term ' Rural ' was used to distinguish these units from the dean and chapter of the cathedral of the diocese.
Converse of object
- boast: The city dates from roman times and boasts a magnificent cathedral and Norman castle in the uphill historic Bailgate area.
- soar: Accommodation situated opposite the soaring Gothic cathedral, right in the center, the setting is both elegant and convenient.
- overlook: Located next to the castle, overlooking the cathedral and the Tyne and Millenium Bridges.
- rebuild: What was to raise it to the crest of the wave was the astonishing decision to rebuild the whole cathedral.
- visit: We also visit the Gothic cathedral in the charming old town.
Adjective modifier
- Gothic: We also visit the Gothic cathedral in the charming old town.
- magnificent: Standing high above the sea, this is a magnificent gothic cathedral.
- Romanesque: Jackson was dazzled and proclaimed the Romanesque cathedral the best of its kind.
- medieval: The towering medieval cathedrals were in fact heaps of stone without any significant tensile stresses.
- Anglo-Saxon: Anglo-Saxon Cathedral By far the most important find was the remains of the Anglo-Saxon cathedral, just 0.20m below the 1786 floor.
- Catholic: Westminster Cathedral can be said to be the only Catholic cathedral able to match the splendor of Anglican church music.
Modifies a noun
- organist: It was said to have been designed by a cathedral organist.
- chorister: It was the opportunity to be exposed to classical music - yes I was a cathedral chorister!
- choir: Each night 50 or 60 people gathered in the cathedral choir stalls to sing Compline gently to round off a very full day.
- priory: This arrangement as a cathedral priory lasted until 1920.
- spire: The tall cathedral spire is a great reference point for learners!
- precinct: Immediately to the right of the cross is an archway and narrow passage leading to Great Minster Street and the cathedral precincts.
Noun used with modifier
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