noun
tabernacle
A container in a church for holding consecrated Communion bread.
The priest places the consecrated bread inside the tabernacle.
Etymology
The source means tent or dwelling. The church container is conceived as a sacred dwelling for the consecrated Communion elements.
More examples
- A small lamp burns beside the tabernacle.
- The tabernacle remains locked between services.
- She kneels before the tabernacle to pray.
Forms
tabernacle · tabernacles
Similar words
- ciborium
- A covered vessel holding consecrated bread, often inside a tabernacle.
- pyx
- A small container used especially to carry consecrated bread.