tabernacle

n. a small, decorated box in a church where the bread for the Eucharist is kept.

n. a fixed or movable cupboard or box, often highly ornamented, used for the reserved sacrament of the Eucharist.

“The priest placed the remaining bread back into the golden tabernacle after the service.”

“The ornate tabernacle stood at the centre of the altar, its intricate carvings reflecting the church's baroque architectural style.”

Formal

n. the portable tent that the ancient Israelites used as a place of worship.

n. the portable sanctuary in use by the Israelites during the Exodus, prior to the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

“In the Bible, the tabernacle was moved from place to place in the desert.”

“Scholars have long debated the precise dimensions and materials used in the construction of the biblical tabernacle as described in Exodus.”

Formal

n. a building used for religious worship, especially by certain Christian groups.

n. a house of worship, particularly one used by Mormons or for large evangelical revival meetings.

“The choir performed a beautiful concert at the city's main tabernacle.”

“The revivalist preacher addressed a crowd of thousands gathered within the temporary wooden tabernacle erected on the outskirts of town.”

Formal

n. a hinge at the bottom of a boat's mast that lets you fold it down.

n. a hinged device or socket at the deck level allowing a mast to be lowered easily for transport or passing under bridges.

“We lowered the mast using the tabernacle so the boat could fit under the low bridge.”

“The yacht was equipped with a heavy-duty steel tabernacle, enabling the crew to strike the mast without the assistance of a shoreside crane.”

Technical

n. a temporary home, such as a tent or a simple hut.

n. a temporary dwelling or shelter; often used figuratively in literature to describe the human body as a temporary home for the soul.

“The travelers built a simple tabernacle to protect themselves from the night rain.”

“The poet described the physical form as a mere earthly tabernacle that would eventually be discarded by the spirit.”

Literary

v. to stay or live in a place for a short time.

v. to dwell or reside temporarily; to take up a brief residence.

“The spirit was said to tabernacle among the people during the festival.”

“In the ancient text, the deity is described as choosing to tabernacle within the hearts of the faithful rather than in stone temples.”

Archaic · Literary