Cathedral

Cathedral

SEE CATHEDRA.

(1.) The church edifice containing the cathedra or bishop's chair, i.e. the bishop's church in a diocese, usually the largest and most magnificent church in a diocese. The modern use of the term cathedral, as designating the church in which the bishop has his throne, is confined to the Western Church, and is posterior to the tenth century. In the East such churches are called the great church, the episcopal church, or simply the church.

(2.) CATHEDRAL (adjective) —

(a) pertaining to a cathedral, as "cathedral service;"

(b) official or authoritative, as the "cathedral determination of an article."