monstrance

[ mon-struhns ]

/ ˈmɒn strəns /

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noun Roman Catholic Church.

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

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Also called ostensorium, ostensory.

Origin of monstrance

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

Words nearby monstrance

mons pubis, monster, monstera, monstering, monster truck, monstrance, monstrosity, monstrous, mons veneris, Mont., Montadale

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

How to use monstrance in a sentence

He places it in the monstrance and shows it to the people, who during this ceremony kneel, bow, pray and believe.
Decadence and Other Essays on the Culture of Ideas|Remy de Gourmont
The priest, who had descended from the altar, held the little monstrance; the girls' procession was moving before him.
En Route|J.-K. (Joris-Karl) Huysmans
Another vessel was the monstrance, in which the Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession, and exposed on the altar.
English Villages|P. H. Ditchfield
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

When the slanting sun fell upon him in front, the monstrance itself looked like another sun.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete|Emile Zola

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