ENGLISH
REFERENCE

absolvatory

n.
C2 Proficiency ab·sol·va·to·ry

n. a room in a church where people could go to confess their sins and receive forgiveness. It is also the name for the building that houses this room.

n. a room or building in a church where penitents could confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Often used in historical or ecclesiastical contexts.


SIMPLE

The priest heard confessions in the absolvatory.

CONTEXTUAL

During the medieval period, the absolvatory was a private space where the faithful could seek spiritual guidance and forgiveness for their transgressions.

COMPLEX

The restoration of the ancient cathedral included the careful preservation of the absolvatory, which had been sealed for centuries and contained intricate carvings depicting the virtues of humility and repentance.

Origin

From absolve + -atory.

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