basilical (basilika)

[L., priated for Christian churches, and new churches were built upon a similar plan, whence basilica became usual name for church The hypical of the basil ica is an oblong rectangle, with a broad central nave sep IMG:content-1723.png:[blocks in formation] 1, S. Pietro in Vincoli, Rome: a typical plan with the addition of a transept and of secondary apses. 2, S. Godehard, Hildesheim: a German form illustrating the western apse and other important variations from the typical plan. AD , apse; B , B ' , secondary apses; C , high altar; D , bishop's throne; G , transept; H , nave; I , I , towers; F, F, aisles; M , western tern apse; N , aisle surrounding the chief apse; 0 , 0 , apsidioles. IMG:content-1724.png:[blocks in formation] circular plan. The Christian high altar, which has re placed the throne of the Roman pretor, stands properly the center of the chord of this apse. Variations the typical plan are of very common occurrence, such as the absence of an architectural apse; the presence of an apse at each end - a favorite arrangement, especially in early German churches of basilican plan; the duplication of the side-aisles; carrying of aisle apse; the presence of a transept between aisles and apse, or of minor apses on each side of the chief apse; and tion by the teethers by accidents of pos i3. Liturgically, in the Rom. Cath. Ch., a title conferred by the pope on a church without reference to its architectural arrangement, and carrying with it certain honors and privileges. In addition to the five major or patriarchal basilicas and the eight minor basilicas at Rome, the title is borne in this sense by other churches in all parts of the world, as the cathedrals of Paris and Rheims in France, and the cathedral of Notre Dame at Quebec. 466 4t. In the middle ages, a name sometimes given to the elaborate structures raised over important tombs, as that over the tomb or shrine of Edward the Confe or in Westminster Abbey: so called, according to Ducange, because these structures bore a resemblance to diminutive churches.-5t. A large piece of ordnance: probably same as basilisk, 4. The breaching artillery consisted of sixty-three guns, the smallest of which threw a ball of fifty-six pounds, and some few, termed basilicas , carried marble bullets of a hundred and twelve pounds weight. Pre scott . Basilica2 (ba-sil'i-kä), n. pl., also used as sing. [ML., Same as basilicon . [ basilican us , IMG:content-1725.png:[ocr errors]