burse
9.9
A flat square case that holds the cloth used in Communion
- noun
- /bɜrs/
- Specialized
:
bursa
- An ornate burse was displayed on the altar during the special service.
Examples
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The priest placed the folded corporal inside the burse before the ceremony began.
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She embroidered a new burse for the church using gold and blue thread.
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The priest placed the burse on the altar.
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During the service, the burse held the sacred cloth.
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During the service, the priest placed the corporal inside the burse for safekeeping.
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The burse was decorated with intricate embroidery, adding beauty to the Communion table.
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After the ceremony, the church volunteers carefully stored the burse alongside the other liturgical items.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Burse for the church comes from the Latin word bursa 'purse' and an old Greek word for 'hide', because it began as a small leather case. That's why a liturgical burse is a flat pouch used to hold the cloth.
