galilee

noun

gal·​i·​lee ˈga-lə-ˌlē How to pronounce galilee (audio)
Synonyms of galileenext
: a chapel or porch at the entrance of an English church

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin galilea, probably after Galilea, Galilaea galilee, from a monastic and clerical comparison of the church porch, where the laity gathered, to biblical Galilee, regarded, in opposition to Judaea, as a country of Gentiles (as in Matthew 4:15)

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of galilee was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near galilee

Galilean telescope

galilee

Galilee

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Cite this Entry

“Galilee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galilee. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Geographical Definition

Galilee

geographical name

Gal·​i·​lee ˈga-lə-ˌlē How to pronounce Galilee (audio)
hill region of northern Israel north of the Plain of Esdraelon
Galilean
ˌga-lə-ˈlē-ən How to pronounce Galilee (audio)
adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on galilee

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for galilee

Nglish: Translation of galilee for Spanish Speakers

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