alms dish
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A shallow plate, dish, or tray, historically made of metal or wood, used in a church to collect monetary offerings (alms) from members of the congregation during a religious service.
Usage
The term "alms dish" is used specifically to refer to the receptacle passed among worshippers to receive their charitable donations. It is a formal, somewhat archaic term associated with traditional Christian church practice. * The deacon carried the silver alms dish down the aisle. * Please place your offering in the alms dish as it comes by.
Advanced Usage
- The object may also be called an alms basin or offertory plate, though "alms dish" emphasizes its shallow, dish-like shape.
- In historical contexts, an alms dish was sometimes a significant piece of church plate, ornately decorated and considered valuable.
Variants and Related Words
- Alms basin (n): A synonym for alms dish.
- Offertory plate (n): A more modern term for the same object.
- Collection plate (n): The most common contemporary term for a dish, plate, or basket used to collect monetary offerings in a church.
Synonyms
- Collection plate
- Offering plate
- Offertory plate
- Alms basin
Antonyms
- There are no direct antonyms, as it is a specific object. Conceptual opposites might include vault or treasury, where collected money is ultimately stored.
Related Phrases
- To pass the plate/alms dish: The action of taking the dish through the congregation to collect offerings.
- It was his duty to pass the alms dish during the Sunday service.
Noun
- a tray for collecting the offering from a congregation