CATHEDRAL Definition & Meaning

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cathedral

[ kuh-thee-druhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.
(in nonepiscopal denominations) any of various important churches.

adjective

pertaining to or containing a bishop's throne.
pertaining to or emanating from a chair of office or authority.

cathedral

/ ��əˈθ��ː��ə�� /

noun

1. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's official throne
2. ( as modifier )
  a cathedral city
  cathedral clergy

cathedral

A church building in which a Christian bishop has his official seat; cathedra is Latin for “chair.” Cathedrals are usually large and imposing, and many have been important in the development of architecture. The building of a cathedral, especially in the Middle Ages , was a project in which the entire town took part. ( See Chartres ; Notre Dame de Paris ; and Saint Paul's Cathedral .)

cathedral

A Christian church building in which a bishop has his official seat ( cathedra is Latin for “chair”). A cathedral is usually large and imposing, and many cathedrals are important in the history of architecture. ( See Chartres , Notre Dame de Paris , and Saint Paul's Cathedral .)

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��·�ٳ��d��·�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of cathedral¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Late Latin ��ٳ�� ( ecclesia ) a cathedral (church). See cathedra, -al ¹

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of cathedral¹

C13: from Late Latin ( ecclesia ) ��ٳ�� cathedral (church), from cathedra bishop's throne, from Greek kathedra seat

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The cathedral saw annual visitor numbers jump from 35,000 before the find to about 100,000 now, prompting a substantial remodelling of the interior and an entirely new learning centre being built.

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Without the structural principles behind catenary curves, there would be no Gothic cathedrals or Renaissance domes — nor, for that matter, any lacy spiderwebs.

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As England pounded Wales to a powder in the second half, the life seeped out of Cardiff's sporting cathedral.

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Dozens of people confirmed their love for each other on a special Valentine's Day event at a city cathedral.

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"So it could be funny to get all our friends together at some point in the World of Warcraft cathedral, and we could have a marriage ceremony."

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