Meanings
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1
noun
an ornamental vessel with a transparent central compartment in which the consecrated Eucharistic host is displayed for veneration
The priest raised the jewelled monstrance above the altar during Benediction.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
1
noun
· an ornamental vessel with a...
ostensoriumostensory
Word family
Derived forms
monstrances
Etymology
From Middle English and Old French monstrance, ultimately from Latin monstrare, 'to show.' The name refers to the vessel's function of visibly displaying a sacred object, especially the consecrated host in Roman Catholic worship.