labarum

American  

[lab-er-uhm] / ˈlæb ər əm /

noun

labara plural

1. an ecclesiastical standard or banner, as for carrying in procession.

2. the military standard of Constantine the Great and later Christian emperors of Rome, bearing Christian symbols.

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labarum British  

/ ˈlæbərəm /

noun

1. a standard or banner carried in Christian religious processions

2. the military standard bearing a Christian monogram used by Constantine the Great

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• labara
  plural

Etymology

Origin of labarum

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

Example Sentences

The Latin cross is marked on the sacramental bread of the Greek communion,—which bread is also impressed with an abbreviation of the words on Constantine's labarum: "Jesus Christ overcometh."

From Notes and Queries, Number 184, May 7, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George

The name of Divus is given to him on several coins; and, what is very odd, this Pagan god is represented on the above-mentioned medals holding in his hand the Christian sign of the labarum.

From A Treatise on Relics by Calvin, John

A miraculous tradition, something like that connected with the labarum of Constantine, hallows the Ancient Cross of St. Andrew.

From Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Pike, Albert

The labarum, like the vexillum, had sometimes fringes with tassels or ribbons.

From Flags: Some Account of their History and Uses. by Macgeorge, Andrew

Several coins with the legend Gloria Exercitus have upon the same side two soldiers with a labarum or military standard between them, upon the banner of which is the symbol  .

From The Non-Christian Cross An Enquiry into the Origin and History of the Symbol Eventually Adopted as That of Our Religion by Parsons, John Denham