chalice

noun

chal·​ice ˈcha-ləs How to pronounce chalice (audio)
1
: a drinking cup : goblet
especially : the eucharistic cup
2
: the cup-shaped interior of a flower

Examples of chalice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The job was a poisoned chalice; even then, gangs were estimated to be in control of more than half of Port-au-Prince. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Some burials held grave goods, including chalices, stoles and fabric. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 But even if Israeli leaders could be convinced to change their minds, the PA sees the possibility of regaining control over the devastated territory as a poisoned chalice. Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2023 Wapner herself made a seasonal floral arrangement of kumquat tree branches and fragrant flowering acacia, displaying it in a large copper chalice over the fireplace. Jessica Battilana, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024 Integrate syringes, candy eyeballs, pumpkin (or regular) candy corn, toy skeletons, and spiders, and serve them in vintage, creepy-looking cocktail glasses or chalices. Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2023 The only items missing were the priest’s accordion and chalice. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023 This one is filled with fantastically ornate sixteenth-century silver objects, including goblets, chalices, and a miniature warship. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023 In it, a round, bready dish can be seen sitting next to a wine chalice and series of fruits and flowers, all arraigned on a silver platter. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 28 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chalice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin calic-, calix; akin to Greek kalyx calyx

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chalice was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chalice

Cite this Entry

“Chalice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chalice. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chalice

noun
chal·​ice ˈchal-əs How to pronounce chalice (audio)
: goblet
especially : the cup used in the sacrament of Communion

More from Merriam-Webster on chalice

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