lych gate

British  

/ lɪtʃ /

noun

1. a roofed gate to a churchyard, formerly used during funerals as a temporary shelter for the bier

---

Etymology

Origin of lych gate

C15: lich, from Old English līc corpse

Example Sentences

They came to the lych gate, and the crowd jostled itself in its admiration.

From Robin Hood by Wyeth, N. C. (Newell Convers)

The newly banded guard of Royal bowmen, gay in their scarlet and white livery, were formed up in two straight lines from the church door to the lych gate.

From Robin Hood by Wyeth, N. C. (Newell Convers)

It had a typical country churchyard, with a large yew tree inside the old lych gate.

From The Carved Cupboard by Le Feuvre, Amy

I've been thinking," at length said Matthew, "that it's ten years since you and I, sir, and Mr. Acres, met at the old lych gate in that terrible storm.

From Stones of the Temple Lessons from the Fabric and Furniture of the Church by Field, Walter

Another relic of this time is the panel of carved oak in the lych gate of St. Giles', Bloomsbury, dated 1638.

From Illustrated History of Furniture From the Earliest to the Present Time by Litchfield, Frederick