sedilia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Technical, Ecclesiastical, Architectural
Quick answer
What does “sedilia” mean?
A row of seats, typically three stone seats, recessed into the south wall of a chancel in a church for use by the clergy (priest, deacon, and sub-deacon).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A row of seats, typically three stone seats, recessed into the south wall of a chancel in a church for use by the clergy (priest, deacon, and sub-deacon).
Historically, a set of ecclesiastical stone seats. In modern architectural or historical contexts, the term can refer to any fixed stone seating, particularly that of historical significance in religious buildings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is identical in form and meaning in both varieties. Usage frequency may be slightly higher in the UK due to a greater concentration of historical churches.
Connotations
Both varieties carry strong connotations of historical/ecclesiastical architecture and specialist knowledge.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both varieties. Encountered primarily in academic, architectural, historical, or religious (Anglican/Catholic) contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sedilia” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] sedilia [VERB]...Sedilia [VERB]...[PREPOSITION] the sediliaVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in architectural history, art history, and ecclesiastical studies papers. Example: 'The Decorated Gothic sedilia date from the early 14th century.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in architectural surveys, church conservation reports, and heritage descriptions. Example: 'Inspect the masonry of the sedilia for signs of damp.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sedilia”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sedilia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sedilia”
- Using it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a sedilia' is incorrect; use 'a sedile' or 'the sedilia').
- Mispronouncing it with a long 'e' (see-DEE-lee-ah) or stressing the first syllable.
- Using it in non-architectural contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. The rarely used singular form is 'sedile'.
Almost exclusively in texts or tours about historical church architecture, architectural history, or ecclesiastical art.
No, the term is specific to ecclesiastical (church) architecture. Other stone seating would simply be called stone benches or seats.
In British English: /sɪˈdɪlɪə/ (si-DIL-ee-uh). In American English: /səˈdɪliə/ (suh-DIL-ee-uh). The stress is on the second syllable.
A row of seats, typically three stone seats, recessed into the south wall of a chancel in a church for use by the clergy (priest, deacon, and sub-deacon).
Sedilia is usually formal, technical, ecclesiastical, architectural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SEDAN (sed-) full of important clergy, but they ILL (ilia) and need to sit down on their special stone seats—the SEDILIA.
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not applicable for this highly concrete, technical term]
Practice
Quiz
What are 'sedilia'?