Webster's English Dictionary

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tabernacle

1. tab.er.na.cle \'tab-*r-.nak-*l\ \.tab-*r-'nak-y*-l*r\ n [ME, fr. OF, fr. 
   LL tabernaculum, fr. L, tent, dim. of taberna hut]- more at TAVERN often 
   cap  1a: a tent sanctuary used by the Israelites during the Exodus  1b1: a 
   dwelling place  archaic  1b2: the body as the temporary abode of the soul  
   archaic  1c: a temporary shelter : TENT  2: a receptacle for the 
   consecrated elements of the Eucharist; esp :: an ornamental locked box 
   fixed to the middle of the altar and used for reserving the host 3: a house 
   of worship; specif : a building or shelter used for evan gelistic services 
   - tab.er.nac.u.lar aj
2. tabernacle \-.nak-(*-)lin\ vi or tab.er.na.cling : to take up temporary 
   residence; esp : to inhabit a physical bod y