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monstrance

American  
[mon-struhns] / ˈmɒn strəns /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.
  1. a receptacle in which the consecrated Host is exposed for adoration.


monstrance British  
/ ˈmɒnstrəns /

noun

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of monstrance

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Each procession is being led by a priest holding a monstrance — typically a sunburst-patterned vessel that displays the host, or bread wafer consecrated by a priest at Mass.

From Seattle Times ● May 19, 2024

At LACMA, a stunning silver monstrance, sumptuous church vestment embroidery, boxes inlaid with bone and tortoiseshell, and carved wooden trays painted in a dense profusion of floral patterns draw the comparison.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2022

Presiding would have required standing, kneeling and holding aloft a monstrance, a heavy gold vessel used to hold the communion host during vespers.

From Reuters ● Dec. 31, 2021

It was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated host displayed in a monstrance held by the priest.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 4, 2020

Upon the high altar stood a golden monstrance in the shape of a sunburst, at the center of which—exposed through a tiny window— was the round wafer of bread.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

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