basilica
UK[bəˈzɪlɪkə]US[bəˈsɪlɪkə]
n
A large, important church, especially one that has been given special ceremonial rights by the Pope.
n
In ancient Rome, a large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and a semicircular apse, used for public administration, law courts, and commercial exchanges.
Morpheme Breakdown
basil
ica
basil
royal
ica
adjective suffix forming nouns
Etymology
The word 'basilica' traces its lineage to the Greek 'basilikē stoa', meaning "royal hall". This term was adopted into Latin as 'basilica', referring to the large public building in Roman forums used for legal and commercial purposes. The semantic shift from "royal" to "church" occurred in the early Christian era, when Roman basilicas, due to their spacious and dignified architecture, were repurposed as places of worship. Consequently, the modern term retains its architectural grandeur, now specifically denoting a major Christian church granted special privileges.
Analysis
Structure: basil (royal) + ica (adjective suffix forming nouns)
- 'basil': From Greek 'basilikē', the feminine form of 'basilikos' meaning "royal".
- 'ica': A Latin suffix used to form adjectives, often later used as nouns, indicating pertaining to or belonging to.
Examples
The papal ceremony was held in the grand basilica.
Archaeologists uncovered the ruins of a Roman basilica used as a law court.
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is one of the world's most famous churches.