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Glite Dictionary
Lateran Palace

Lateran Palace

9.9
A large old building in Rome where the popes lived until the 14th century
  • proper noun
translation icon : Palacio Laterano
  • Visitors to Rome can explore the rich history of the Lateran Palace, which was the popes' home until the 14th century.

Examples

  • The Lateran Palace served as the papal residence before the Vatican became the official seat of the pope.

  • Papal councils were frequently held at the Lateran Palace during the Middle Ages.

  • After the 14th century, the popes moved from the Lateran Palace to the Vatican.

  • The architecture of the Lateran Palace reflects many centuries of renovations and historical events.

  • The Lateran Palace is a significant historical site in Rome.

  • Have you visited the Lateran Palace during your trip to Italy?

  • Throughout its history, the Lateran Palace has witnessed numerous important events in the Catholic Church.

Surface Forms

Lateran Palace main

Morphology

Lateran + palace

The expression is a place-name + common noun (Lateran + palace), so its meaning as the palace at the Lateran is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a straightforward, non-idiomatic compositional naming pattern (place name + building) that a B1 learner who knows the two words would understand, even if they lack historical details.

Etymology

Lateran Palace is named after the old Lateran family who owned the land and whose house a Roman emperor gave to the bishop of Rome, who became the 'pope'. Because the building became the popes' main 'residence', the name Lateran Palace came to mean the popes' former principal home.