urceole

9.9

A small container for washing hands before a religious ceremony

noun
/ˈɜrsiˌoʊl/

Archaic

: urceola

The priest carefully poured water from the urceole during the ceremony.

Examples

Ancient rituals often required an urceole for washing hands before prayer.
The priest filled the urceole with holy water.
An ornate urceole stood on the altar, filled with fresh water.
In the ceremony, they used a special urceole for purification.
An ornate urceole stood on the altar, filled with fresh water.
Ancient rituals often required an urceole for washing hands before prayer.
The priest carefully poured water from the urceole during the ceremony.

Synonyms

washbowl

vsurceole

1 2.4

A bowl or basin for cleaning hands and face

is used specifically in religious settings for handwashing rather than general washing

lavabo

vsurceole

Jargon

9.9

A basin in a church used for washing hands before a service

holds water for washing rather than being the basin used to wash

aquamanile

vsurceole

Archaic

9.9

A container shaped like an animal used to pour water for washing hands during religious ceremonies

holds water for washing hands rather than being used to pour it

wash-hand basin

vsurceole

3.2

A bowl fixed to a wall or on a stand where people clean their hands and face

is mainly for religious or ritual handwashing rather than bathroom use

Surface Forms

urceole singular

urceoles plural

Etymology

Urceole comes from the Latin urceolus, which means 'small jar' or 'little pitcher'. So an urceole is a small vessel for holding water to wash the hands, often used in religious or ritual ceremonies.