monstrance
UK /ˈmɒnstɹəns/ · US /ˈmɑnztɹəns/ noun
Forms monstrances
- noun (Christianity) An ornamental, often precious receptacle, either open or with a transparent cover, in which the sacramental bread (consecrated host) is placed for Eucharistic adoration.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English mustraunce, from Old French mostrance, monstrance, from post-classical Latin mōnstrantia, from classical Latin mōnstrāns, present participle of mōnstrāre (“to show”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A transparent pyx, in which the consecrated host is exposed to view.
Etymology [LL. monstrantia, fr. L. monstrare to show: cf. OF. monstrance. See Monster.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “monstrance”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details