[a. L. Babylōn, Gr. Βαβυλών, Heb. Bābel.] A magnificent city, once the capital of the Chaldee Empire; also, the mystical Babylon of the Apocalypse; whence, in modern times, applied polemically to Rome or the papal power, and rhetorically to any great and luxurious city.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. VI. 8. Bethleem and Babiloyne, I haue ben in boþe.
1634. Rainbow, Labour (1635), 41. Thy great Babilons which thou hast built.
1823. Byron, Juan, XI. xxiii. The approach … to mighty Babylon [= London].
