TABERNACLE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Tabernacle

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/tˈæbərnˌækəl/ Listen

noun

Tabernacle n.

1.

A slightly built or temporary habitation; especially, a tent. "Dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob." "Orange trees planted in the ground, and secured in winter with a wooden tabernacle and stoves."

2.

(Jewish Antiq.) A portable structure of wooden framework covered with curtains, which was carried through the wilderness in the Israelitish exodus, as a place of sacrifice and worship.

3.

Hence, the Jewish temple; sometimes, any other place for worship.

4.

Figuratively: The human body, as the temporary abode of the soul. "Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle."

5.

Any small cell, or like place, in which some holy or precious things was deposited or kept. Specifically:

(a)

The ornamental receptacle for the pyx, or for the consecrated elements, whether a part of a building or movable.

(b)

A niche for the image of a saint, or for any sacred painting or sculpture.

(c)

Hence, a work of art of sacred subject, having a partially architectural character, as a solid frame resting on a bracket, or the like.

(d)

A tryptich for sacred imagery.

(e)

A seat or stall in a choir, with its canopy.

6.

(Naut.) A boxlike step for a mast with the after side open, so that the mast can be lowered to pass under bridges, etc.

Feast of Tabernacles (Jewish Antiq.), one of the three principal festivals of the Jews, lasting seven days, during which the people dwelt in booths formed of the boughs of trees, in commemoration of the habitation of their ancestors in similar dwellings during their pilgrimage in the wilderness.

Tabernacle work, rich canopy work like that over the head of niches, used over seats or stalls, or over sepulchral monuments.

verb

Tabernacle v. i. (past & past part. tabernacled; pres. part. tabernacling) To dwell or reside for a time; to be temporary housed. "He assumed our nature, and tabernacled among us in the flesh."

See images of 'Tabernacle'

Etymology of 'Tabernacle'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Tabernacle" Quotes from Famous Books

... do exist in nature phenomena such as baffle human reason; and it is possible that, for some hidden purposes of Providence, permission may occasionally be granted to those who have passed from this life to assume again for a time the form of their earthly tabernacle. We must, I say, be content to suspend our judgment on such matters; but in this instance the subsequent course of events is very difficult to explain, except on the supposition that there was then presented to my brother's view the actual bodily form of one long ...

— The Lost Stradivarius • John Meade Falkner

... flowers were arranged, the candles lighted, and the Tabernacle dressed with roses; but one was wanting fit to crown the whole! All the neighboring gardens had been ransacked. I alone possessed a flower worthy of such a place. It was on the rose-tree given me by ...

— An "Attic" Philosopher, Complete • Emile Souvestre

... that many a gentle mynd Dwels in deformed tabernacle drownd, Either by chaunce, against the course of kynd*, Or through unaptnesse in the substance fownd, Which it assumed of some stubborne grownd, 145 That will not yield unto her formes direction, But is deform'd with some foule imperfection. ...

— The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 • Edmund Spenser

... obligatory. In Spain, it is celebrated with all the pomp and ostentation imaginable. In the poor towns and villages, the priest carries the consecrated host in his hands; but in rich cathedral towns, an expensive tabernacle or canopy of silver, generally a master-work of art, is provided for the purpose. It is called La Custodia. That of Seville is divided into three bodies or compartments, and adorned with bas-relief, admirably executed, and having in the lower part ...

— Roman Catholicism in Spain • Anonymous

... and the remarkable success of which it was that had given rise to the whole discussion. When this has been completed the kingdom is to be established with the nation of Israel in the central place, the tabernacle of David set up, as he quotes it. The purpose of this is that all the rest of the peoples on the earth, all the nations, "may seek after ...

— Quiet Talks with World Winners • S. D. Gordon

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