MEANING
A large church with a long central hall and an apse, often following an ancient Roman hall plan.
Use it for
Describe a large church with a long hall and apse.A specific architectural setting for monumental, ritual, or decayed grandeur.
Words that belong together
- ancient basilica
- basilica nave
- basilica with an apse
On the page
The basilica’s nave stood empty beneath smoke-darkened mosaics.
Nearby words
Word forms
- Base
- basilica
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Usage notes
The term also names an ancient Roman public hall and can be an honorific church title; use context to signal the intended sense.
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