lych-gate

lych–gate

noun \ˈlich-ˌgāt\

Definition of LYCH-GATE

: a roofed gate in a churchyard under which a bier rests during the initial part of the burial service

Variants of LYCH-GATE

lych–gate also lich–gate \ˈlich-ˌgāt\

Origin of LYCH-GATE

Middle English lycheyate, from lich body, corpse (from Old English līc) + gate, yate gate

First Known Use: 15th century