ostiary

[ os-tee-er-ee ]

noun

, plural os·ti·ar·ies.

1. Also called doorkeeper, porter. Roman Catholic Church.
   1. a member of the lowest-ranking of the four minor orders.
   2. the order itself. Compare acolyte ( def 2 ), exorcist ( def 2 ), lector ( def 2 ).
2. a doorkeeper, as of a church.

ostiary

/ ˈɒstɪərɪ /

noun

1. RC Church another word for porter 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostiary¹

1400–50; late Middle English hostiary < Latin ōstiārius doorkeeper, equivalent to ōsti ( um ) door, entrance ( ostium ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostiary¹

C15: from Latin ostiārius doorkeeper, from ostium door

Example Sentences

Ostiary, os′ti-ar-i, n. the doorkeeper of a church.

From Project Gutenberg

In the decline of his popularity he permitted his door-keeper, whom he dignifies with the title of Ostiary, to take a shilling!

From Project Gutenberg

Associated words: lintel, jamb, sill, threshold, stile, panel, rail, mullion, porte-cochère, reveal, rabbet, casing. doorkeeper, n. porter, concierge, ostiary; tyler. doorsill, n. threshold. dormancy, n. abeyance, quiescence, inactivity, torpor, lethargy, inertness. dormant, a. quiescent, latent, inert, inactive, abeyant, torpid. dose, n. draught, dram, potion.

From Project Gutenberg