Word Study
ciborium
CIDE DICTIONARY
ciborium, n. [LL., fr. L. ciborium a cup, fr. Gr. a seed vessel of the Egyptian bean; also, a cup made from its largeleaves, or resembling its seed vessel in shape.].
- A canopy usually standing free and supported on four columns, covering the high altar, or, very rarely, a secondary altar. [1913 Webster]
- The coffer or case in which the host is kept; the pyx. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ciborium, n. (pl. ciboria)
1 a vessel with an arched cover used to hold the Eucharist.
2 Archit. a a canopy. b a shrine with a canopy.
1 a vessel with an arched cover used to hold the Eucharist.
2 Archit. a a canopy. b a shrine with a canopy.
Etymology
med.L f. Gk kiborion seed-vessel of the water-lily, a cup made from it
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