chalice cloth
- noun
- Specialized
- The priest carefully placed the chalice cloth over the cup after communion.
Examples
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Each chalice cloth was washed and folded with great reverence by the sacristan.
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Please pass me the chalice cloth.
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During the ceremony, the deacon arranged the chalice cloth on the altar.
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The chalice cloth is ready.
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During the ceremony, the deacon arranged the chalice cloth on the altar.
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The priest carefully placed the chalice cloth over the cup after communion.
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Each chalice cloth was washed and folded with great reverence by the sacristan.
Synonyms
A piece of material made by joining threads together and used for making clothes or for cleaning
A small piece cut from a larger material used to make or fix clothes
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is a straightforward noun+noun composition: a cloth associated with a chalice. A B1 learner who knows 'chalice' (ritual cup) and 'cloth' (textile) can readily infer it is the linen used to cover or handle the chalice, so the basic meaning is transparently derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Chalice cloth comes from the church practice of placing a special cloth over the chalice, the cup used for wine, to keep it clean and show respect. So, a chalice cloth today means a piece of linen used 'to cover' or 'to handle' the cup during the service.