Adjacent Words

Cathedral definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

CATHEDRAL, n. The see or seat of a bishop; the principal church in a diocese.
CATHEDRAL, a.
1. Pertaining to the church which is the bishops seat, or head church of a diocese; containing the see of a bishop; as a cathedral church; cathedral service.
2. Resembling the aisles of a cathedral; as, cathedral walks.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: relating to or containing or issuing from a bishop's office or throne; "a cathedral church" n
1: any large and important church
2: the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese [syn: cathedral, duomo]

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective Date: 14th century 1. of, relating to, or containing a cathedra 2. emanating from a chair of authority 3. suggestive of a cathedral <a cathedral grove of redwoods> II. noun Date: 1587 1. a church that is the official seat of a diocesan bishop 2. something that resembles or suggests a cathedral (as in size or importance) <a cathedral of business> <the sports cathedral>

Britannica Concise

Church, often large and magnificent, in which a residential bishop has his official seat. Cathedrals are usually embellished versions of early Christian basilicas; their construction, on an ever-larger scale, was a major preoccupation throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. Masonry vaulting replaced the earlier timber roofs, and the basilican plan grew more complex. Above the arches of the nave, and below the clerestory, was the triforium, an arcaded upper story that often contained vaulted tribune galleries open to the nave. The portion containing seats for the choir, usually east of the transept, was called the chancel. Between the chancel and the sanctuary (high altar) was the presbytery, a raised area occupied only by clergy. The chapter house, a popular feature of English cathedrals, was a chamber, typically octagonal, in which business was transacted. Small chapels, incl. the founder's chantry and the Lady Chapel (dedicated to the Virgin Mary) were often added. Many cathedrals of the Î le-de-France region were remodeled to embody a chevet, or arc of radiating chapels, on the E wall, a feature reflected in England in Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Cathedral Ca*the"dral, n. [LL. cathedralis (sc. ecclesia): cf. F. cath['e]drale. See Cathedra.] The principal church in a diocese, so called because in it the bishop has his official chair (Cathedra) or throne.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Cathedral Ca*the"dral, a. [LL. cathedralis: cf. F. cath['e]dral.] 1. Pertaining to the head church of a diocese; as, a cathedral church; cathedral service. 2. Emanating from the chair of office, as of a pope or bishop; official; authoritative. Now, what solemnity can be more required for the pope to make a cathedral determination of an article! --Jer. Taylor. 3. Resembling the aisles of a cathedral; as, cathedral walks. --Pope.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(cathedrals) A cathedral is a very large and important church which has a bishop in charge of it. ...St. Paul's Cathedral. ...the cathedral city of Canterbury. N-COUNT

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Old-fashioned. An old cathedral-bedstead, chair, etc.

Moby Thesaurus

accepted, approved, authentic, authoritative, basilica, bethel, cathedral church, church, church house, conventicle, duomo, ex cathedra, house of God, house of prayer, house of worship, kirk, magisterial, meetinghouse, minor basilica, mission, official, patriarchal basilica, place of worship, received, standard