Definition of BASILICA

basilica

Plural: basilicae, basilicas

Noun

  • an early Christian church designed like a Roman basilica; or a Roman Catholic church or cathedral accorded certain privileges
    • "the church was raised to the rank of basilica"
  • a Roman building used for public administration
  • A Christian church building having a nave with a semicircular apse, side aisles, a narthex and a clerestory.
  • A Roman Catholic church or cathedral with basilican status, an honorific status granted by the pope to recognize its historical, architectural, or sacramental importance.
  • An apartment provided in the houses of persons of importance, where assemblies were held for dispensing justice; hence, any large hall used for this purpose.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Latin basilica, from Ancient Greek βᾰσῐλῐκή (băsĭlĭkḗ), from βᾰσῐλῐκὴ στοά (băsĭlĭkḕ stoá, “royal hall”), ultimately from βασιλικός (basilikós, “royal”), from βασιλεύς (basileús, “king, chief”). Doublet of basoche.

Synonyms

Roman basilica

Scrabble Score: 12

basilica is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
basilica is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
basilica is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

basilica is a valid Words With Friends word