BASILICA • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Basilica

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/bəsˈɪlɪkə/ /bəzˈɪləkə/ Listen

noun

Basilica n. (pl. basilicas; sometimes basilicae)

Originally, the palace of a king; but afterward, an apartment provided in the houses of persons of importance, where assemblies were held for dispensing justice; and hence, any large hall used for this purpose.

(Arch.)

(a)

A building used by the Romans as a place of public meeting, with court rooms, etc., attached.

(b)

A church building of the earlier centuries of Christianity, the plan of which was taken from the basilica of the Romans. The name is still applied to some churches by way of honorary distinction.

Basilica n. A digest of the laws of Justinian, translated from the original Latin into Greek, by order of Basil I., in the ninth century.

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Etymology of 'Basilica'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Basilica" Quotes from Famous Books

... the sides of the Sahel and face the bright bow of the sunlit bay; a villa with balconies, and awnings, and cool, silent chambers, and rich, glowing gardens, and a broad, low roof, half hidden in bay and orange and myrtle and basilica, and the liquid sound of waters bubbling beneath a riotous ...

— Under Two Flags • Ouida [Louise de la Ramee]

... of the sacred Eucharist in the basilica of Mary," replied the Bishop. "It is just now the hour—but no, stop. You are a stranger here you say; you have run away from your master—and you are young, very young and very. . . . It is dark too. Where are you intending ...

— Uarda • Georg Ebers

... we passed in the home where she was born, and on the hillside where she toiled as humble shepherdess. Reverently, and in very awe of its beauty, we visited the magnificent Basilica the people of France have raised to her memory. The structure is but partially finished; and I urged the good Fathers there in charge to visit America some day and give its people opportunity to contribute to ...

— The Greater Love • George T. McCarthy

... place: a great city, a great personal destiny, a famous school, and ultra-celebrated pictures. All this is imposing, and our imagination becomes excited rather more than usual when, in the centre of the Place Vert, we see the statue of Rubens and, farther on, the old basilica where are preserved the triptychs which, humanly speaking, have ...

— Great Pictures, As Seen and Described by Famous Writers • Esther Singleton

... 800 he went to Rome. It was Christmas Day. He entered the basilica of St. Peter's to attend Mass. He approached the altar, and bowed to pray. The Pope secretly uplifted the crown of the world and ...

— ZigZag Journeys in Northern Lands; - The Rhine to the Arctic • Hezekiah Butterworth

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