[ba.sil.i.ca] n [L, fr. Gk basilike, fr. fem. of basilikos royal, fr. basileus king] (1541) 1: an oblong building ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome esp. for a court of justice and place of public assembly
2: an early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects
3: a Roman Catholic church given ceremonial privileges -- ba.sil.i.can adj