monstrance

[ mon-struh ns ]

/ ˈmɒn strəns /

noun Roman Catholic Church.

a receptacle in which the consecrated Host is exposed for adoration.

Nearby words

monsoon low, monster, monster truck, monstera, monstering, monstrance, monstrosity, monstrous, mont blanc, mont cenis, mont cervin

Origin of monstrance

1250–1300; Middle English < Medieval Latin mōnstrantia, equivalent to mōnstr(āre) to show (see muster) + -antia -ance

Also called ostensorium, ostensory.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for monstrance

When the slanting sun fell upon him in front, the monstrance itself looked like another sun.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete|Emile Zola
This monstrance is covered also with jewels of great value which almost conceal it, the gifts of royal personages.
The Industrial Arts in Spain|Juan F. Riao
Also a monstrance of the same period with very elaborate and beautiful architectural ornament and figures of angels in adoration.
The Shores of the Adriatic|F. Hamilton Jackson
It's mean to bring up that about the monstrance—it didn't hurt anybody, did it?
Plays by August Strindberg, Third Series|August Strindberg

The archbishop fell to the ground, as did the lunette of the monstrance.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898|Various

British Dictionary definitions for monstrance

monstrance

/ (ˈmɒnstrəns) /

noun

RC Church a receptacle, usually of gold or silver, with a transparent container in which the consecrated Host is exposed for adoration

Word Origin for monstrance

C16: from Medieval Latin mōnstrantia, from Latin mōnstrāre to show

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