tabernacular, a. rare.
(tæbəˈnækjʊlə(r))
[f. L. type *tabernāculār-is, f. tabernācul-um: see above and -ar1.]
Of or pertaining to a tabernacle.
1. Of the style or character of an architectural tabernacle; constructed or decorated with open-work and tracery.
| 1678 Wood Life 28 June (O.H.S.) II. 411 An antient carved peice of tabernacular worke. 1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry (1840) II. xxiii. 300 Cloisters..fronted with tabernacular or open work. |
2. Savouring of the language of a ‘tabernacle’ or conventicle. contemptuous.
| 1847 De Quincey Protestantism Wks. 1858 VIII. 89 The word ‘shortcomings’..being horridly tabernacular, and such that no gentleman could allow himself to touch it without gloves. 1858 Bailey Age 171 But you condemn all verse of solemn vein As canting, tabernacular in strain. |