Holy Rood

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noun

the cross on which Jesus died.

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

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Origin of Holy Rood

before 1150; Middle English; Old English

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Holy Rood in a sentence

This seizure was made on the 3d of May, being “Holyrood day,” at a time when Cartier had completed his preparations for sailing.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft
The headquarters of the army were now at Edinburgh, the staff being located in Holyrood Palace.
Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents and Strange Events|S. Baring-Gould
Tailors were immediately set to work, and next morning the captain was enabled to visit his brother officers at Holyrood.
Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents and Strange Events|S. Baring-Gould
In consideration of this deliverance, strengthened by a vision, the foundations of Holyrood were laid.
The Mysteries of All Nations|James Grant

The coronation ceremony, performed with great solemnity, was gone through on the 17th of May at Holyrood House.
The Mysteries of All Nations|James Grant

British Dictionary definitions for Holy Rood (1 of 2)

holy rood

noun

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

(often capital) the cross on which Christ was crucified

British Dictionary definitions for Holy Rood (2 of 2)

Holyrood

/ (ˈhɒlɪˌruːd, ˈhəʊlɪˌruːd) /

noun

the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh, located beside Holyroodhouse

informal the Scottish Government

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012