feretory

[ fer-i-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, plural fer·e·to·ries.

1. a container for the relics of a saint; reliquary.
2. an enclosure or area within a church where such a reliquary is kept.
3. a portable bier or shrine.

feretory

/ ˈfɛrɪtərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. a shrine, usually portable, for a saint's relics
2. the chapel in which a shrine is kept

Word History and Origins

Origin of feretory¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English fertre, feretory, firetree, from Old French fiertre, from Latin feretrum, from Greek phė́retron “bier, litter”

Word History and Origins

Origin of feretory¹

C14: from Middle French fiertre , from Latin feretrum a bier, from Greek pheretron , from pherein to bear

Example Sentences

Feretory, fer′e-tor-i, n. a shrine for relics carried in processions.

From Project Gutenberg

Edward I. himself, together with the bishops who were present, carried on their shoulders the chest or feretory containing the precious relics to their new resting-place, and Anthony Beck, consecrated the same day Bishop of Durham, paid all the expenses.

From Project Gutenberg

The bones were enclosed in a splendid coffer with poles attached, and on solemn occasions this ‘feretory,’ besides being carried in procession, was sometimes placed under a tent in the fields.

From Project Gutenberg

Provision had evidently been made by him for keeping relics or treasures57 here, and, in his time, the back screen, as we now see it, and the reredos, were united together at the top, and covered with heavy stone slabs, so as to make a perfectly secure feretory.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Robert Smirke in 1807 put up work which consisted chiefly of panelling, which was affixed to the easternmost wall of the feretory.

From Project Gutenberg