faldstool

[ fawld-stool ]

noun

1. a chair or seat, originally one capable of being folded, used by a bishop or other prelate when officiating in his own church away from his throne or in a church not his own.
2. a movable folding stool or desk at which worshipers kneel during certain acts of devotion.
3. such a stool placed at the south side of the altar, at which the kings or queens of England kneel at their coronation.
4. a desk at which the litany is said or sung.

faldstool

/ ˈfɔːldˌstuːl /

noun

1. a backless seat, sometimes capable of being folded, used by bishops and certain other prelates

Word History and Origins

Origin of faldstool¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin faldistolium < West Germanic *faldistōl (compare Old High German faltistuol, late Old English fældestōl, fyldestōl ); fold ¹, stool; fauteuil

Word History and Origins

Origin of faldstool¹

C11 fyldestol , probably a translation of Medieval Latin faldistolium folding stool, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German faldstuol

Example Sentences

If, however, for "footstool" we read "faldstool," His Royal Highness's apparently uncomfortable position becomes intelligible.

From Project Gutenberg

Faldstool, fawld′stōōl, n. a folding or camp stool: a kind of stool for the king at his coronation: a bishop's armless seat: a small desk in churches in England, at which the litany should be sung or said.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

The lectern—or desk, from which the lessons are read, and the faldstool—or Litany desk, may be either just without or within the chancel screen.

From Project Gutenberg

The small desk or stand from which the Litany is read is sometimes called a faldstool, and a similar stool is provided for the use of the sovereign at his coronation.

From Project Gutenberg

At a faldstool on the left of the altar, the Queen knelt and prayed alone.

From Time Magazine Archive