noun
basilica
A large ancient Roman public hall with aisles and a semicircular end.
The model shows the Roman basilica's long hall and side aisles.
Etymology
The Greek adjective means royal and was used in the expression for a royal hall. The name came to identify the large public halls used for Roman civic business.
More examples
- Merchants and officials met in the ancient basilica.
- The excavation reveals the semicircular end of the basilica.
- Several civic basilicas stood near the city's forum.
Forms
basilica · basilicas
Similar words
- hall
- Broader; does not specify the Roman architectural form.
- courthouse
- Names a function rather than this particular building type.