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REFERENCE

palace

n.
US //ˈpæɫəs// UK //pˈælɪs// palace
  1. 1 royal residence (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the official home of a king, queen, or president.

    the official residence of a monarch, head of state, or high-ranking religious dignitary.

    Example

    Thousands of tourists gather outside the palace every day to watch the changing of the guard.

    Example

    The royal family retreated to their summer palace in the mountains to escape the humid heat of the capital city.

  2. 2 luxurious house (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a very large and expensive house that looks like it belongs to a king.

    a large, lavishly decorated, or ornate residence, often used metaphorically for any impressive home.

    Example

    After winning the lottery, he bought a modern palace with ten bedrooms and a huge pool.

    Example

    The tech mogul's new hilltop estate is a glass-and-steel palace that overlooks the entire valley.

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  1. 3 public building (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a large, beautiful building used for public events, shows, or art.

    a large and ornate public building designed for exhibitions, entertainment, or cultural gatherings.

    Example

    The city built a new ice palace for the winter sports competition.

    Example

    The grand exhibition was held in the crystal palace, a structure famous for its innovative use of glass and iron architecture.

  2. 4 Crystal Palace FC (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English Informal Sport

    a common name for a professional football team from London.

    a common ellipsis referring to Crystal Palace Football Club, a professional team based in South London.

    Example

    He has been a Palace fan since he was a young boy.

    Example

    Palace managed to secure a late draw against their rivals, much to the delight of the home crowd.

    Usage

    Usually capitalized when referring to the specific team.

    • the eagles
Origin

From Middle English paleys, from Old French palais, which comes from Latin palātium, from Palātium, in reference to the Palatine (Palatine Hill), one of the seven hills of Rome, where the aristocracy of the Roman Republic—and later, Roman emperors—built large, splendid residences. The name is ultimately either from Etruscan, the same source as Pales (“Pales, the Italic goddess of shepherds, flocks and livestock”), or Latin palus (“stake; enclosure”). Doublet of palazzo and Pfalz.

Idioms2 entries

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