Word of the day, 13 August 2025: ‘Edifice’
Word of the day: EDIFICE
Pronunciation: ed·i·fice UK/ˈed.ɪ.fɪs/ US/ˈed.ə.fɪs/
Meaning
An edifice is a large, imposing building or structure, often one that is architecturally impressive or historically significant.
Origin and History
The word "edifice" originates from the Latin word aedificium, which means building.
It entered the English language through Anglo-French during the 14th century.
The Latin word 'aedificium' is derived from 'aedificare', meaning to build or to establish.
Interestingly, edify, meaning "to instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually, also shares this root.
Historically, it referred primarily to churches, cathedrals, castles, or other monumental buildings.
Examples from literature
- He arrived at this after long observation of the construction of termite nests, which, excepting perhaps a man-made city, are the most formidable edifices in nature. – The Lives of a Cell by Lewis Thomas
- All of this is a salutary lesson in the way tottering edifices of theology can be built on a small textual misunderstanding. – Words Like Loaded Pistols by Sam Leith
Synonyms
- Structure
- Building
- Monument
- Pile
- Complex