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edifice

 - 2 dictionary results

ed⋅i⋅fice

[ed-uh-fis]
–noun
1. a building, esp. one of large size or imposing appearance.
2. any large, complex system or organization.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < AF, MF < L aedificium, equiv. to aedific(āre) to build (see edify ) + -ium -ium


ed⋅i⋅fi⋅cial [ed-uh-fish-uhl] , adjective


1. See building.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To edifice
ed·i·fice   (ěd'ə-fĭs)   
n.  
  1. A building, especially one of imposing appearance or size.

  2. An elaborate conceptual structure: observations that provided the foundation for the edifice of evolutionary theory.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin aedificium, from aedificāre, to build : aedis, a building + -ficāre, -fy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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