cathedral
UK: kəˈθiːdrəl | US: kəˈθiːdrəl
n. 1. The principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.
n. 2. A large or important church, often historically or architecturally significant.
cathedral = cathedr<seat, throne> + al<adjective suffix>
- cathedr (from Greek kathedra "seat, throne," from kata "down" + hedra "seat") → Refers to the bishop's official seat in the church.
- al (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives) → Indicates relation or pertaining to.
Etymology Origin:
The word cathedral traces back to the Greek kathedra, meaning "seat" or "throne," specifically the bishop's chair in a church. Over time, the term evolved in Late Latin (cathedra) and Old French (cathedrale) to denote the church housing this seat. By the Middle Ages, cathedral became associated with the grand, central church of a diocese, reflecting both spiritual authority and architectural prominence.
The Notre-Dame de Paris is a famous Gothic cathedral.
The bishop led the ceremony at the cathedral.
Tourists marveled at the stained-glass windows of the ancient cathedral.
The cathedral's spire towered over the city skyline.
Many cathedrals took centuries to complete due to their intricate designs.