ostiary
- noun
- Archaic
:
ostiario
- In early Christian communities, the ostiary was responsible for guarding the entrance to sacred spaces.
Examples
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The ancient church appointed an ostiary to welcome worshippers and keep order at the entrance.
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During the ceremony, the ostiary quietly opened the heavy door for the bishop.
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The ostiary welcomed us at the church entrance.
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An ostiary is essential for maintaining order during services.
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In early Christian communities, the ostiary stood at the entrance, welcoming all who entered the sacred space.
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During the service, the ostiary ensured only authorized individuals passed through the church doors.
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The ostiary played a crucial role in greeting visitors and maintaining decorum at the church entrance.
Synonyms
58
5.1
A person or group that controls who can enter a place and who can meet someone
16
4.3
A person who guards a building entrance and checks visitors
1
2.5
A person who stands at an entrance to check people entering
A church officer in older times who guarded the church doors
A church helper in older times who guarded the doors during services
How Responsible
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ostiary comes from the Latin ostium, which means 'door'. An ostiary was the person who stood at the door to welcome people and keep order, so the origin explains its meaning as a church doorkeeper.