galilee

¹ American  

[gal-uh-lee] / ˈgæl əˌli /

noun

1. a porch or vestibule, often on the ground floor of a tower, at the entrance of some English churches.

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Galilee ² American  

[gal-uh-lee] / ˈgæl əˌli /

noun

1. an ancient Roman province in what is now northern Israel.

2. Also called Kinneret.  Also called Tiberias.  Sea of Galilee. a lake in northeastern Israel through which the Jordan River flows. 14 miles (23 kilometers) long; 682 feet (208 meters) below sea level.

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Galilee ¹ British  

/ ˈɡælɪˌliː /

noun

1. a lake in NE Israel, 209 m (686 ft) below sea level, through which the River Jordan flows. Area: 165 sq km (64 sq miles)

2. a northern region of Israel: scene of Christ's early ministry

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galilee ² British  

/ ˈɡælɪˌliː /

noun

1. a porch or chapel at the entrance to some medieval churches and cathedrals in England

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Etymology

Origin of galilee¹

1585–95; < Medieval Latin galilaea porch of a church, literally, Galilee; perhaps alluding to Galilee as a country of Gentiles (as opposed to Judaea), the porch being an area especially associated with the laity

Origin of Galilee²

From Old French Galilee, from Latin Galilaea, from Greek Galilaía , from Hebrew galil, haggalil “district, the district”

Example Sentences

As the galilee overhangs the ravine, the principal entrance to the cathedral is from a fine northern porch.

From England, Picturesque and Descriptive A Reminiscence of Foreign Travel by Cook, Joel

In 1757 Essex recommended the removal of the galilee as being an encumbrance.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Ely A History and Description of the Building with a Short Account of the Monastery and of the See by Sweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)

The roof of the galilee was also removed, and the lancets at the west of the cathedral blocked up.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Ely A History and Description of the Building with a Short Account of the Monastery and of the See by Sweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)

The galilee in front appears built up from the depths of the valley, and is supported by outworks scarcely less solid than those of the castle.

From England, Picturesque and Descriptive A Reminiscence of Foreign Travel by Cook, Joel

The south porch, which projects boldly in the form of a galilee, is scarcely to be excelled as a specimen of pointed architecture at its highest pitch of luxuriant beauty.

From Account of a Tour in Normandy, Volume 2 by Turner, Dawson