interjectionnoun
tabernacle
tabernacle
Definition & meaning
The word tabernacle has several meanings depending on the context:
- Religious (Christianity): It refers to the ornate, locked container (often a box or cabinet) on the altar of a Catholic church where the consecrated hosts are reserved.
- Religious (Biblical): It refers to the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt to house the Ark of the Covenant.
- Architecture: A canopy or niche, typically decorative, that houses a statue or religious icon.
- Colloquial (French slang): In Quebec, it is used as a very strong vulgarity or expletive (a "sacré"). It is considered one of the most offensive blasphemous expressions in Quebec French, originating from the Catholic religious term.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is a masculine noun.
- Origin: The word comes from the Latin tabernaculum, which means "tent" or "little hut" (a diminutive of taberna, meaning "shop" or "hut"). It entered the French language in the 12th century.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- For the religious container: repositoire
- For the biblical tent: tente or sanctuaire
- For the niche: niche or baldaquin
Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for this word as it refers to a specific physical or religious object.
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Examples
Le grand tabernacle est dans l'église.Word type unavailable
The large tabernacle is in the church.
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