catafalque

noun

cat·​a·​falque ˈka-tə-ˌfȯ(l)k How to pronounce catafalque (audio)
-ˌfalk
1
: an ornamental structure sometimes used in funerals for the lying in state of the body
2
: a pall-covered coffin-shaped structure used at requiem masses celebrated after burial

Examples of catafalque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The casket was placed in the middle of the room on the catafalque built in 1865 to hold assassinated President Abraham Lincoln’s casket in the same place. Bill Barrow, The Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2025 His casket will rest on the Lincoln catafalque, a wooden platform built in 1865 to support the casket of Abraham Lincoln as Lincoln was lying in state. George Petras, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024 Harrison the Harlem Knight on catafalque; Mission from the South Bronx; Big Boy from the Rox; Vark of the Queens Zulus; me from B’More. Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023 New Order emerged from the catafalque of Manchester’s great, gloomy punk band Joy Division (its name teased Nazi dehumanization inspired by the hipster decadence of America’s the Velvet Underground). Armond White, National Review, 14 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for catafalque 

Word History

Etymology

Italian catafalco, from Vulgar Latin *catafalicum scaffold, from cata- + Latin fala siege tower

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catafalque was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near catafalque

Cite this Entry

“Catafalque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catafalque. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

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