catafalque
/'kætəfælk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A decorated, often elaborate, platform or framework used to support a coffin, casket, or effigy of the deceased during a funeral or lying-in-state ceremony. It is typically used in formal or state funerals.
Usage
The word "catafalque" is a formal and specific term used in the context of funerals and memorials. It refers to the physical structure that elevates and displays the coffin. - The general's coffin was placed on a magnificent catafalque in the cathedral for public viewing. - The funeral director oversaw the arrangement of flowers around the catafalque.
Advanced Usage
- Symbolic Use: In some historical or ceremonial contexts, a catafalque may be erected as a cenotaph (an empty tomb monument) to honor someone whose remains are elsewhere.
- Ecclesiastical Context: Within some religious traditions, the catafalque is a central focus during funeral rites and may be ceremonially blessed.
Variants and Related Words
- Catafalque is the standard spelling. A less common variant is catafalco.
- Bier: A simpler, often movable stand on which a coffin or corpse is placed. A catafalque is typically more stationary and ornate than a bier.
- Cenotaph: A monument erected in honor of a person or group whose remains are elsewhere. A catafalque can serve as a temporary cenotaph during services.
Synonyms
- Bier
- Funeral platform
- Coffin stand
Idioms and Phrases
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the word "catafalque." Its usage is almost exclusively literal and related to funeral ceremonies.
Noun
- a decorated bier on which a coffin rests in state during a funeral