Churchyard: meaning, definitions and examples
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churchyard
[ ˈtʃɜːrtʃjɑːrd ]
burial place
A churchyard is an area of land surrounding a church, often used as a burial ground. It typically contains graves, tombstones, and sometimes additional features such as memorials or gardens. Churchyards serve as resting places for the deceased and are often sites for memorial services and family gatherings.
Synonyms
burial ground, cemetery, graveyard.
Examples of usage
- The old churchyard was filled with moss-covered gravestones.
- She often visited her ancestors' graves in the churchyard.
- The churchyard provided a tranquil setting for reflection.
Translations
Translations of the word "churchyard" in other languages:
🇵🇹 cemitério
🇮🇳 चर्चयार्ड
🇩🇪 Kirchhof
🇮🇩 halaman gereja
🇺🇦 церковний двір
🇵🇱 cmentarz przykościelny
🇯🇵 教会の庭
🇫🇷 cimetière
🇪🇸 cementerio
🇹🇷 kilise avlusu
🇰🇷 교회 마당
🇸🇦 فناء الكنيسة
🇨🇿 hřbitov
🇸🇰 cintorín
🇨🇳 教堂墓地
🇸🇮 pokopališče
🇮🇸 kirkjugarður
🇰🇿 шіркеу ауласы
🇬🇪 ეკლესიის ეზო
🇦🇿 kilsə həyəti
🇲🇽 patio de la iglesia
Etymology
The word 'churchyard' originates from the combination of 'church' and 'yard'. The term 'church' is derived from the Old English word 'circe', which relates to the Greek 'kuriakos', meaning 'of the Lord'. This reflects the religious significance of the place as it houses a place of worship. The 'yard' part comes from the Old English 'geard', meaning an enclosed area, or yard. Historically, churchyards were often established as extensions of church properties during the early medieval period, serving as divisive areas for worship and community rituals while providing a sacred space for the interment of the deceased. Over centuries, the cultural and spiritual importance of churchyards evolved, marking them as places for prayer, remembrance, and community gathering, reflecting a society's relationship with death and the afterlife.