Chiesa
/ˈkjɛːza/noun
An Italian word meaning a church or Christian place of worship.
Did you know?Italian chiesa comes from Latin ecclesia, which came from Greek ekklēsía, originally meaning an assembly or gathering called out for a purpose—not a building.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ekklēsía
“an assembly, especially a gathered public meeting”
Late Latin
Latin
ecclesia
“a Christian congregation or church”
Old Italian
Italian
chiesa
“a church; a Christian place of worship”
Modern English
English
church
“the building or body of Christian worshippers”
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