flabellum

American  

[fluh-bel-uhm] / fləˈbɛl əm /

noun

plural

flabella

1. a fan, especially one used in religious ceremonies.

2. a fan-shaped part.

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flabellum British  

/ fləˈbɛləm /

noun

1. a fan-shaped organ or part, such as the tip of the proboscis of a honeybee

2. RC Church a large ceremonial fan

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Etymology

Origin of flabellum

1865–70; < Latin flābellum fan, diminutive of flābra breezes, equivalent to flā ( re ) to blow ² + -bra, plural of -brum noun suffix of means; see castellum for formation

Example Sentences

The flabellum is used, though now rarely made of precious metal.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

In some instances it is depicted as a flabellum, a fan of palm-leaves or coloured feathers fixed on a long handle, resembling those now carried behind the Pope in processions.

From Umbrellas and Their History by Sangster, William

Rhīpid′ion, in the Greek Church, the eucharistic fan or flabellum.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Ventilā′brum, flabellum; Ventilā′tion, act or art of ventilating: state of being ventilated: free exposure to air: supply of air: act of examining and making public: public exposure.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Page 288 Ivory handles were usual for the fly-fan, or flabellum, used at the altar, to keep flies and other insects away from the Elements.

From Arts and Crafts in the Middle Ages A Description of Mediaeval Workmanship in Several of the Departments of Applied Art, Together with Some Account of Special Artisans in the Early Renaissance by Addison, Julia de Wolf Gibbs