baldachin

[ bal-duh-kin, bawl- ]

noun

1. Also Textiles. a silk brocade interwoven with gold or silver threads, used chiefly for ceremonial purposes.
2. Architecture. a permanent ornamental canopy, as above a freestanding altar or throne.
3. a portable canopy carried in religious processions.

baldachin

/ ˈbɔːldəkɪn; ˌbɔːldəˈkiːnəʊ /

noun

1. a richly ornamented silk and gold brocade
2. a canopy of fabric or stone over an altar, shrine, or throne in a Christian church or carried in Christian religious processions over an object of veneration

Other Words From

• balda·chined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of baldachin¹

1250–1300; earlier baldakin < Medieval Latin baldakinus < Italian baldacchino, equivalent to Baldacc ( o ) Baghdad (famous as a source of silk brocades) + -ino -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of baldachin¹

Old English baldekin , from Italian baldacchino , literally: stuff from Baghdad, from Baldacco Baghdad, noted for its brocades

Example Sentences

Under the baldachin hovered a gilded Cupid, spotted and faded, with his arrow aimed at the bed.

From Project Gutenberg

His peculiar use of a very stiff baldachin made people say that he was a master of Raphael.

From Project Gutenberg

I take the shrine to be a work of the thirteenth century, though the baldachin is no doubt of later date.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he took his stand in front of the theatrical chair under the faded baldachin, and sucked at his upper lip.

From Project Gutenberg

From the coffered ceiling hangs the metal baldachin, like a precious lantern's chain without a lamp.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beam
• plaster
• roof