Definition of edifice

< edification

edify >

ed·i·fice    (d-fs) KEY 

NOUN:

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.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin aedificium, from aedificre, to build : aedis, a building + -ficre, -fy