catafalque

cat·a·falque | \ ˈka-tə-ˌfȯ(l)k

How to pronounce catafalque (audio)

, -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

Examples of catafalque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Senate on Monday approved a joint resolution, with the House expected to follow suit, for use of the catafalque for Cummings’ services in Statuary Hall. — Fox News, "Elijah Cummings to 'lie in state' in Capitol's Statuary Hall in new arrangement," 22 Oct. 2019 The catafalque is a wooden platform first used at the Capitol when President Lincoln lay in state, with his casket resting on top of it. — Fox News, "Elijah Cummings to 'lie in state' in Capitol's Statuary Hall in new arrangement," 22 Oct. 2019 McCain’s casket will rest atop the wooden catafalque, a platform constructed for Lincoln’s funeral. — Chad Pergram, Fox News, "History at the Capitol Rotunda, where McCain's casket will lie in state," 30 Aug. 2018 The catafalque is now on display in the Capitol Visitors Center. — Chad Pergram, Fox News, "History at the Capitol Rotunda, where McCain's casket will lie in state," 30 Aug. 2018 Birds flew in and out of the rooms, says the professor, and for years the widowed poet kept her embalmed husband on view in a catafalque with a glass top. — J. S. Marcus, WSJ, "When Home Is a Portuguese Bachelor Pad Fit for a King," 25 July 2018 Detail of 22 sergeants deposit Lincoln coffin into Indiana Statehouse on catafalque awaiting mourners. — Dawn Mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "The epic journey of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train," 30 Apr. 2018 The catafalque is constructed out of wood and draped in a black cloth. — Carol Robinson, AL.com, "Man, 24, killed when vehicle hits brick pillar in Birmingham," 28 Feb. 2018 Graham's coffin rests on a catafalque, a wooden stand, which was constructed by the architect of the Capitol for such ceremonies. — Michael D. Shear, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump and Congress pay tribute to the Rev. Billy Graham at the Capitol," 28 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catafalque.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about catafalque

Dictionary Entries near catafalque

Statistics for catafalque

Last Updated

5 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Catafalque.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catafalque. Accessed 14 December 2019.

WORD OF THE DAY

impugn

to assail by words or arguments

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.