édifice

edifice

noun eh-dee-FEES Rare

Origin: Latin aedificium (building)

Also means

building

Usage Note

édifice refers to a large, imposing structure — it would be unusual to call a small house an édifice. Figuratively, l'édifice de la démocratie (the edifice of democracy) is a common rhetorical image. The related verb édifier means both to build and to edify morally.

Examples

"Cet édifice date du Moyen Âge."

Natural Translation

This building dates from the Middle Ages.

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