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bema

[ bee-muh ]

noun

, plural be·ma·ta [bee, -m, uh, -t, uh], be·mas.
  1. Eastern Church. the enclosed space surrounding the altar; the sanctuary or chancel.
  2. (in a Christian basilica) an open space between the end of the nave arcade and the apse.
  3. a platform for public speaking.


bema

/ ˈbiːmə /

noun

  1. the speaker's platform in the assembly in ancient Athens
  2. Eastern Orthodox Church a raised area surrounding the altar in a church; the sanctuary
  3. Judaism another word for almemar
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of bema1

1675–85; < Greek bêma step, platform, equivalent to bē- (verbid stem of baínein to step, go; come ) + -ma (noun suffix denoting result of action)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bema1

C17: via Late Latin, from Greek bēma , from bainein to go
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Example Sentences

In the chord of the bema stood the holy table with its ciborium or canopy of gold.

His friends and relatives tried in vain to stop him making himself ridiculous and being dragged down from the bema.

Looking out from his place at the foot of the pillar, he saw a man standing far off in the lofty bema.

The bema, on which he sat to administer justice, was probably the golden throne of Archelaus.

It is then carried round the building, and forms the impost moulding of the side arches in the bema and of the east window.

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