sedilia

views updated May 23 2018

sedilia (n. pl.) series of (three) seats in the sanctuary of a church; rarely sg. sedile XVIII. — L. sedīlia, pl. of sedīle, f. sedēre SIT; see -ILE, -IA2.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

sedilia

views updated Jun 11 2018

sedilia a group of stone seats for clergy in the south chancel wall of a church, usually three in number and often canopied and decorated. The word is recorded from the late 18th century, and comes from Latin, meaning ‘seat’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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sedilia

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