Sacristy: meaning, definitions and examples

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sacristy

 

[ ˈsækrɪsti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious setting

A sacristy is a room in a church where the clergy prepare for services and store sacred vessels, vestments, and other items necessary for worship. It often serves as a place for the priests to vest and may also house altar linens and religious books. This space is typically located adjacent to or behind the main altar area, facilitating easy access during services. The sacristy is not only functional but can also be a place of prayer and reflection.

Synonyms

altar room, vestry.

Examples of usage

  • The priest entered the sacristy to prepare for the mass.
  • She organized the vestments in the sacristy before the ceremony.
  • The altar servers waited in the sacristy until they were called for the service.

Translations

Translations of the word "sacristy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sacristia

🇮🇳 सक्रिस्ती

🇩🇪 Sakristei

🇮🇩 sakristi

🇺🇦 сакристія

🇵🇱 sakrystia

🇯🇵 サクリスト

🇫🇷 sacristie

🇪🇸 sacristía

🇹🇷 sakristan

🇰🇷 성전

🇸🇦 مذبح

🇨🇿 sakristie

🇸🇰 sakristia

🇨🇳 祭衣室

🇸🇮 sacristija

🇮🇸 sacriste

🇰🇿 сакристия

🇬🇪 საკრისტია

🇦🇿 sakristiya

🇲🇽 sacristía

Etymology

The term 'sacristy' originates from the Latin word 'sacristia', which means 'place for sacred things'. It is derived from 'sacer', meaning 'sacred' or 'holy', paired with a suffix denoting a place or location. The use of sacristies dates back to the early Christian Church, where special areas were set aside for the preparation of the Eucharist and storage of sacred objects. Over centuries, the design and purpose of sacristies have evolved, but their significance in liturgical practices has remained consistent, providing a space for order and sacred preparation within the church environment.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,749, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.