[ bə'sɪlɪkə , -'zɪl- ]
■ noun a large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and a semicircular apse, used in ancient Rome as a law court or for public assemblies.
↘a similar building used as a Christian church.
Derivatives
~n adjective
Origin
C16: from L., lit. 'royal palace', from Gk basilikē , feminine of basilikos 'royal', from basileus 'king'.