catafalque

cat·a·falque

noun \ˈka-tə-ˌfȯ(l)k, -ˌfalk\

Definition of CATAFALQUE

1

: an ornamental structure sometimes used in funerals for the lying in state of the body

2

: a pall-covered coffin-shaped structure used at requiem masses celebrated after burial

Origin of CATAFALQUE

Italian catafalco, from Vulgar Latin *catafalicum scaffold, from cata- + Latin fala siege tower

First Known Use: 1641

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Rhymes with CATAFALQUE

baby talk, belle epoque, chicken hawk, double-talk, happy talk, Kitty Hawk, pillow talk, power walk, sparrow hawk, widow's walk, tomahawk