/bee"meuh/ , n. , pl. bemata /-meuh teuh/ , bemas .
1. Eastern Ch. the enclosed space surrounding the altar; the sanctuary or chancel.
2. (in a Christian basilica) an open space between the end of the nave arcade and the apse.
3. bimah.
4. a platform for public speaking.
[ 1675-85; bêma step, platform, equiv. to be- (verbid s. of baínein to step, go; see COME) + -ma (n. suffix denoting result of action) ]