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Glite Dictionary
emunctorium

emunctorium

9.9
A white cloth a priest uses to wipe the cup after each person drinks at Communion
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : emunctorio
  • The priest carefully used the emunctorium to wipe the chalice after each communicant received the wine.

Examples

  • The church sacristan ensured each emunctorium was freshly laundered before the service.

  • During the Mass, an altar server handed the emunctorium to the officiating priest.

  • The emunctorium is essential for the Eucharist.

  • Did you see the emunctorium on the altar?

  • The priest carefully used the emunctorium to wipe the chalice after each communicant received the wine.

  • During the Mass, an altar server handed the emunctorium to the officiating priest.

  • The church sacristan ensured each emunctorium was freshly laundered before the service.

Synonyms

purificatorium
vsemunctorium
  • Formal
9.9

A white cloth used to wipe the cup after each person drinks wine during Communion

is identical in meaning but represents an alternative term
purificator
vsemunctorium
  • Jargon
9.9

A white cloth used in church services to wipe the cup after each person drinks the wine

is the same object but the form is a common liturgical term
chalice cloth
vsemunctorium
  • Specialized
9.9

A piece of cloth used to cover the cup in a church communion service

focuses specifically on wiping after each communicant rather than covering or handling
sudarium
vsemunctorium
  • Archaic
9.9

A church cloth people use during services to cover the cup or wipe the priest's hands

is used only to wipe the chalice after each communicant, not for covering

Surface Forms

emunctorium singular
emunctoriums plural

Etymology

Emunctorium comes from the Latin emunctio, which means 'a wiping' or 'cleaning'. It was the small white cloth used to wipe the cup used in a religious service after each person drank, so the origin explains why the word now means that cloth.