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catafalque

noun
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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 Ginsburg lay in state in the National Statuary Hall on the House side of the Capitol, her coffin resting on the historic Lincoln catafalque. — Stuart Emmrich, Vogue, "Ruth Bader Ginsburg Is the First Woman to Lie in State. Top Republicans Decide Not to Show Up.," 25 Sep. 2020 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

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.

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First Known Use of catafalque

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for catafalque

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

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The first known use of catafalque was in 1641

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Cite this Entry

“Catafalque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catafalque. Accessed 9 Mar. 2021.

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More from Merriam-Webster on catafalque

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catafalque

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