bema

American  

[bee-muh] / ˈbi mə /

noun

bemata, plural bemas plural

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. bimah.

4. a platform for public speaking.

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bema British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bemas
  plural
• bemata
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bema

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bema

The enclosure of the bema, with its columns and entablatures, was of silver gilt, and set with gems and pearls.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various

The niches in the bema only rise to a short distance above the floor, not, as on the opposite side, to above the cornice.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Van Millingen, Alexander

Its fall was followed by that of the eastern half of the great dome itself; and in the ruin perished the altar, the tabernacle, and the whole bema, with its costly furniture and appurtenances.

From The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 A Monthly Eclectic Magazine by Rameur, E.

The apsidal chambers, usual in a church, are here represented by two niches in the bema.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Van Millingen, Alexander

Diaconicon, dī-a-kon′i-kon, n. a sacristy for sacred vessels, in a Greek church, on the south side of the bema or sanctuary.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various