labarum

[ lab-er-uhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural lab·a·ra [lab, -er-, uh].

an ecclesiastical standard or banner, as for carrying in procession.
the military standard of Constantine the Great and later Christian emperors of Rome, bearing Christian symbols.

labarum

/ ˈlæbərəm /

a standard or banner carried in Christian religious processions
the military standard bearing a Christian monogram used by Constantine the Great

Origin of labarum¹

From Late Latin, dating back to 1650–60, of obscure origin

Origin of labarum¹

C17: from Late Latin, of obscure origin

The age that could accept such a prodigy, of course found no difficulty in the vision of Constantine and the story of the Labarum.

The safety of the labarum was entrusted to fifty guards of approved valour and fidelity.

He received it, notwithstanding the labarum, and received further the title of Pontifex Maximus, which he retained all his life.

This standard was known by the name of the Labarum—a word the etymology of which is very uncertain.

Labarum, lab′a-rum, n. a Roman military standard adopted as the imperial standard after Constantine's conversion.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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