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basilica
[ buh-sil-i-kuh, -zil- ]
noun
- an early Christian or medieval church of the type built especially in Italy, characterized by a plan including a nave, two or four side aisles, a semicircular apse, a narthex, and often other features, as a short transept, a number of small semicircular apses terminating the aisles, or an atrium. The interior is characterized by strong horizontality, with little or no attempt at rhythmic accents. All spaces are usually covered with timber roofs or ceilings except for the apse or apses, which are vaulted.
- one of the seven main churches of Rome or another Roman Catholic church accorded the same religious privileges.
- (in ancient Rome) a large oblong building used as a hall of justice and public meeting place.
basilica
/ əˈɪɪə /
noun
- a Roman building, used for public administration, having a large rectangular central nave with an aisle on each side and an apse at the end
- a rectangular early Christian or medieval church, usually having a nave with clerestories, two or four aisles, one or more vaulted apses, and a timber roof
- a Roman Catholic church having special ceremonial rights
basilica
- A large Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox church building. A basilica is built with several parallel aisles separated by rows of columns, ending in a semicircular structure, the apse. Saint Peter's Basilica is the church of the Vatican in Rome .
Derived Forms
- ˈ, adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of basilica1
Example Sentences
Half an hour later, at 09:00 local time, patriarchs from the Orthodox church and cardinals will congregate in Saint Sebastian Chapel, inside the basilica, where the remains of Pope John Paul II lie.
The basilica also hosts what is said to be a relic of Jesus's crib and an icon of Mary, to whom Pope Francis would pray to asking for protection before a journey.
From then, he will lie in an open casket in the basilica, where mourners can pay their respects ahead of his funeral on Saturday.
By 08:30, archbishops and bishops will gather in the Constantine Wing, adjacent to the basilica, wearing liturgical clothes including simple white miter.
He will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of four major papal basilicas in Rome.
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