Definition

Noun (archaic, literary): * Assistant priest; altar server: A person, typically a junior priest or acolyte, who assists the main celebrant (the officiant) during a religious ceremony or ritual at the altar.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong nghi lễ xưa, vị bồi tế có nhiệm vụ hỗ trợ chủ tế. (In ancient rituals, the assistant priest had the duty of supporting the chief celebrant.)
  • Vai trò của bồi tế là chuẩn bị các vật dụng cần thiết trên bàn thờ. (The role of the altar server was to prepare the necessary items on the altar.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily found in historical, literary, or academic texts describing traditional Vietnamese religious or ceremonial practices, especially those influenced by Confucian or ancient court rituals. It is not used in modern everyday language.

Variants and Related Words

• Chủ tế (n): Chief celebrant; officiant. The main priest leading the ceremony.
• Tế lễ (v/n): To perform a rite; a ceremonial offering. This is the general act the assists with.
• Lễ sinh (n): Altar server; acolyte. A more modern or general term for a person assisting in a religious service.

Synonyms

• Phụ tế (n): A synonym meaning assistant priest.
• Trợ tế (n): Another synonym meaning assisting priest.

Notes on Meaning

• The term bồi tế is archaic. Its core meaning is strictly religious/ceremonial, referring to a specific supporting role in a formal ritual. It does not carry the general meaning of "assistant" in secular contexts.

1. (từ cũ, nghĩa cũ) Assistant (priest assisting the celebrant at the altar)