haikal

noun

hai·​kal

ˈhīˌkäl,

ˈhāˌ-

plural -s

1

: a sanctuary of a Coptic church cut off from the nave by a screen and containing three altars

2

: the main altar

Word History

Etymology

Syriac haykal & Hebrew hēkhāl, from Assyro-Babylonian ēkallu, from Sumerian e gal temple, palace, from e house + gal great

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