ostiary
- noun
- Archaic
:
ostiario
- The ostiary welcomed everyone at the church entrance.
Examples
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The role of ostiary was eventually abolished in the Roman Catholic Church.
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In ancient times, an ostiary had specific duties.
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Historical records describe the duties of an ostiary during ecclesiastical ceremonies.
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In medieval times, the ostiary was responsible for watching over the doors of the church.
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In medieval times, the ostiary was responsible for watching over the doors of the church.
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Historical records describe the duties of an ostiary during ecclesiastical ceremonies.
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The role of ostiary was eventually abolished in the Roman Catholic Church.
Synonyms
A church officer in older times who guarded the church doors
A church helper in older times who guarded the doors during services
How Senior
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ostiary comes from the Latin ostium, which means 'door'. In the older church an ostiary was a low church official whose job was to care for the church door, and that is why the word names that particular church office, later abolished in the Roman Catholic Church.