catafalque

[ kat-uh-fawk, -fawlk, -falk ]
/ ˈkæt əˌfɔk, -ˌfɔlk, -ˌfælk /

noun

a raised structure on which the body of a deceased person lies or is carried in state.
a hearse.

Origin of catafalque

1635–45; < French < Italian catafalco < Late Latin *catafalicum scaffold, equivalent to cata- cata- + fal(a) wooden siege tower + -icum, neuter of -icus -ic

Example sentences from the Web for catafalque

British Dictionary definitions for catafalque

catafalque
/ (ˈkætəˌfælk) /

noun

a temporary raised platform on which a body lies in state before or during a funeral

Word Origin for catafalque

C17: from French, from Italian catafalco, of uncertain origin; compare scaffold