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• Holy Rood
  Holy Rood

  noun

  the cross on which Jesus died.
• holy rood
  holy rood

  noun

  a cross or crucifix, esp one placed upon the rood screen in a church

Holy Rood

American  

noun

1. the cross on which Jesus died.

2. (lowercase) a crucifix, especially one above a rood screen.

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holy rood British  

noun

1. a cross or crucifix, esp one placed upon the rood screen in a church

2. (often capital) the cross on which Christ was crucified

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Etymology

Origin of Holy Rood

before 1150; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Holy Rood holy rood

Brett Talley poses for a portrait at Holy Rood Cemetery in 2014.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 11, 2018

Brett Talley poses for a portrait in 2014 at Holy Rood Cemetery in Washington.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 14, 2017

There was a candle lit & was incense carried forward & thereafter was ye Holy Rood set at the prow.

From The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade) by Hearn, Ethel Harriet

Swear to me, by Holy Rood, and by Mary Mother, that you will grant me whatever boon I ask, and I will help you to the secret.

From Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race by Ebbutt, M. I. (Maud Isabel)

He was misled, no doubt, by the statement in the passage above extracted from the Ancient Monuments, that this cross was brought out of Holy Rood House.

From Notes and Queries, Number 55, November 16, 1850 by Various

The stern knight's sob was heard throughout the holy rood.

From Rowena & Harold A Romance in Rhyme of an Olden Time, of Hastyngs and Normanhurst by Pryer, William Stephen

Each corse lay flat, lifeless and flat, And by the holy rood, A man all light, a seraph man By every corse there stood.

From Modern Painters Volume II (of V) by Ruskin, John

Then was manifest from that day's deed that the King Almighty gave unto Constantine victory, 145 glorious honor, and a realm beneath the heavens, through his holy rood.

From The Elene of Cynewulf translated into English prose by Holt, Lucius Hudson

By the rood was a common oath; so by the holy rood, as in Shakespeare, Rich.

From The Lady of the Lake by Scott, Walter, Sir

I came rather warmly and lovingly; but these light ringlets, by the holy rood, shall not shade this shoulder much longer.

From Imaginary Conversations and Poems A Selection by Landor, Walter Savage