catafalque

English - English

Definition of catafalque in English English dictionary

A platform used to display or convey a coffin during a funeral, often ornate

a decorated bier on which a coffin rests in state during a funeral

A temporary structure sometimes used in the funeral solemnities of eminent persons, for the public exhibition of the remains, or their conveyance to the place of burial

a decorated raised structure on which the dead body of an important person is placed before their funeral (catafalco, from catafalicum , from kata- ( CATACLYSM) + fala )

{i} platform for a coffin

Related Terms

A catafalque

catafalco

catafalques

plural of catafalque

Hyphenation

ca·ta·falque

Etymology

[ 'ka-t&-"fo(l)k, -"falk ] (noun.) 1641. From French catafalque, from Italian catafalco