missal stand: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/Very Low FrequencyFormal, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “missal stand” mean?
A liturgical furniture item designed to hold the large book of texts used in the celebration of the Mass, enabling the priest or officiant to read from it hands-free.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A liturgical furniture item designed to hold the large book of texts used in the celebration of the Mass, enabling the priest or officiant to read from it hands-free.
Any specialized stand or lectern, often adjustable, used in Christian liturgical contexts to support the missal or other substantial liturgical books during a service.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; the term is identical in both varieties. The associated liturgical practices are identical in Roman Catholic contexts.
Connotations
Exclusively denotes a specific object in a Roman Catholic (and some Anglican/Episcopalian) church context.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but standard within the niche lexicon of church architecture, supply, and liturgy in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “missal stand” in a Sentence
The [material] missal stand stood on the altar.The priest placed the missal on the [adjective] missal stand.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used only in the business of manufacturing or selling ecclesiastical furnishings.
Academic
Used in art history, liturgical studies, or church architecture.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term within liturgy and church furniture design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “missal stand”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “missal stand”
- Misspelling as "missile stand".
- Using it to refer to any book stand, such as for a cookbook or music sheet.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A lectern is a general stand for a speaker's notes or Bible. A missal stand is a specific type of lectern or holder designed for the large, heavy missal used at the altar during Mass.
Primarily the priest or celebrant during a Catholic Mass. It may also be used by a deacon or other liturgical ministers when reading from the altar missal.
No, it is a highly domain-specific term. Using it to refer to a stand for a cookbook or manual would be incorrect and confusing.
They are often made from wood (like oak or mahogany), brass, or other metals, and may be ornately carved to match other church furniture.
A liturgical furniture item designed to hold the large book of texts used in the celebration of the Mass, enabling the priest or officiant to read from it hands-free.
Missal stand is usually formal, ecclesiastical in register.
Missal stand: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪs.əl ˌstænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪs.əl ˌstænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MISSAL (the big church book) needs to STAND up for the priest to read it.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SERVANT FOR THE TEXT (It holds and presents the sacred text in a position of service).
Practice
Quiz
A 'missal stand' is most closely associated with which context?