thurifer

[thoor-uh-fer]

noun

1. a person who carries the thurible in religious ceremonies.

thurifer

/ ˈθjʊərɪfə /

noun

1. a person appointed to carry the censer at religious ceremonies

Word History and Origins

Origin of thurifer¹

1850–55; < New Latin, noun use of Latin t ( h ) ūrifer incense-bearing, equivalent to t ( h ) ūr- (stem of t ( h ) ūs ) incense + -i- -i- + -fer bearing; -fer

Word History and Origins

Origin of thurifer¹

C19: from Latin, from tūs incense + ferre to carry

Example Sentences

The Sun, a contrite thurifer     After his garish days, Through lessening arch, a wavy blur,     His burnish'd censer sways.

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A thurifer goes first, flinging his censer high in the air, and the lights, borne one on each side of the great silver crucifix, gleam redly through a misty cloud.

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“Come a little nearer, Allen;” and he threw a couple of combs into the tin dish, while Hicks stood close at hand plying the smoke with all the energy of a Ritualistic thurifer.

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The procession was marshalled before the altar: the organ boomed through the church: the first thurifer started off, swinging his censer towards the clouded roof.

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Crouched in a corner, Durtal had turned round, and like his neighbours looked at the backs of the thurifers and priests, who were going towards the entrance.

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