basilica, basilic, basilick

[In Fr. basilique Sp., Port., & Ital. basilica; Gr. βασιλική ( basilikē ); from βασιλικός (basilikos) = royal; βασιλεύς ( basileus ) = a king.] I. In the Greek period: Apparently, as the etymology shows, a royal residence, though proof of the fact has not been obtained. II. In the Old Roman period: 1. A public building in the forum of Rome, furnished with double colonnades or aisles. PLAN OF TRAJAN'S BASILICA. It was used both as a court for the adıninistration of justice and as an exchange for merchants. 2. Any similar building in other parts of Rome or in the provincial cities. III. In the Christian period: 1. A cathedral church. The name is given because under Const an tine many basilicas were changed into Christian churches, objection being felt to transforming the heathen temples, the a ociations of which had been always anti-Christian, and often immoral. (See Trench's Synon. of New Test ., p. 139.) 2. A royal palace. The term was also applied in the Middle Ages to the large canopied tomb of persons of distinction. (See Parker's Glo ary of Her .) ba-sil'-ic-al, a. [Eng. basilic; al.] The same as BASILIC, adj. (q.v.). basilical vein. Anat. [BASILIC, B. 2.]