maundy
Noun: 1. A religious ceremony: Specifically, a Christian ceremony of ceremonial washing, historically associated with Jesus washing his disciples' feet, now observed on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter). 2. The ceremony of distributing alms: In the UK, a public ceremony held on Maundy Thursday in which the British monarch or a royal official distributes specially minted coins (Maundy money) to a number of elderly people, a tradition symbolizing humility and charity.
- Noun:
- The Queen attended the annual Maundy service at the cathedral.
- The tradition of Maundy commemorates Jesus's act of humility at the Last Supper.
- "Maundy" as an attributive noun: The word is most commonly used attributively (like an adjective) to modify other nouns related to the ceremony or the day.
- Maundy Thursday (the holy day on which the ceremony occurs).
- Maundy money (the special coins distributed during the ceremony).
- Maundy service (the religious service incorporating the ceremony).
- Maundy Thursday (n): The Thursday before Easter, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples.
- Maundy money (n): The special silver coins distributed by the British sovereign during the Maundy ceremony.
- Ceremony: rite, ritual, observance.
- Almsgiving: charity, dole (archaic).
The word "maundy" is almost exclusively used in a religious and ceremonial context, specifically within Christianity and British royal tradition. Its everyday use is very rare. Its core meaning is tied to the commandment (mandatum in Latin, from which "maundy" derives) given by Jesus to love one another, exemplified by the foot-washing. The modern British ceremony focuses on the charitable aspect of this commandment.
- a public ceremony on Maundy Thursday when the monarch distributes Maundy money