a large impressive building 大厦;宏伟建筑 an imposing edifice 一座宏伟的建筑 - (figurative)
The whole edifice of our civilization is built on hard work, trust and decency. 我们文明的整个大厦建立在努力工作、信任和体面的基础上。 - (figurative)
an edifice of lies 谎话连篇
Word Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin aedificium, from aedis ‘dwelling’ + facere ‘make’.