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basilica

Syllabification: (ba·sil·i·ca)
Pronunciation: /bəˈsilikə/
Translate basilica | into Italian
Definition of basilica

noun

  • a large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and a semicircular apse, used in ancient Rome as a court of law or for public assemblies.
  • a building similar to a Roman basilica, used as a Christian church.
  • the name given to certain churches granted special privileges by the pope.

Derivatives

basilican

adjective

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Latin, literally 'royal palace', from Greek basilikē, feminine of basilikos 'royal', from basileus 'king'

basilica in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of basilica in the British & World English dictionary
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