temple

1
[ tem-puh l ]
/ ˈtɛm pəl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR temple ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Origin of temple

1
before 900; Middle English, variant of tempel, Old English < Latin templum space demarcated by an augur for taking auspices, temple

OTHER WORDS FROM temple

tem·pled, adjective tem·ple·like, adjective un·tem·pled, adjective

Words nearby temple

tempest-tossed, tempestuous, tempi, templar, template, temple, temple city, temple of artemis, temple orange, temple terrace, templet

Definition for temple (2 of 4)

temple 2
[ tem-puh l ]
/ ˈtɛm pəl /

noun

Anatomy. the flattened region on either side of the forehead in human beings.
Zoology. a corresponding region in certain animals.
Ophthalmology. either of the sidepieces of a pair of eyeglasses extending back above and often around the ears.

Origin of temple

2
1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French < Vulgar Latin *tempula, for Latin tempora the temples, plural (taken as feminine singular) of tempus temple

Definition for temple (3 of 4)

temple 3
[ tem-puh l ]
/ ˈtɛm pəl /

noun

a device in a loom for keeping the cloth stretched to the proper width during the weaving.

Origin of temple

3
1475–85; earlier tempylle < Middle French temple < Latin templum purlin, small piece of timber. See temple1

Definition for temple (4 of 4)

Temple
[ tem-puh l ]
/ ˈtɛm pəl /

noun

ShirleyShirley Temple Black,1928–2014, U.S. film actress, famous for child roles during the 1930s, and diplomat.
Sir William,1628–99, English essayist and diplomat.
a city in central Texas.

Words related to temple

sanctuary, synagogue, house, mosque, pagoda, shrine, church, chapel, tabernacle, cathedral, pantheon

Example sentences from the Web for temple

British Dictionary definitions for temple (1 of 5)

temple 1
/ (ˈtɛmpəl) /

noun

a building or place dedicated to the worship of a deity or deities
a Mormon church
US another name for a synagogue
any Christian church, esp a large or imposing one
any place or object regarded as a shrine where God makes himself present, esp the body of a person who has been sanctified or saved by grace
a building regarded as the focus of an activity, interest, or practice a temple of the arts

Derived forms of temple

templed, adjective temple-like, adjective

Word Origin for temple

Old English tempel, from Latin templum; probably related to Latin tempus time, Greek temenos sacred enclosure, literally: a place cut off, from temnein to cut

British Dictionary definitions for temple (2 of 5)

temple 2
/ (ˈtɛmpəl) /

noun

the region on each side of the head in front of the ear and above the cheek bone Related adjective: temporal

Word Origin for temple

C14: from Old French temple, from Latin tempora the temples, from tempus temple of the head

British Dictionary definitions for temple (3 of 5)

temple 3
/ (ˈtɛmpəl) /

noun

the part of a loom that keeps the cloth being woven stretched to the correct width

Word Origin for temple

C15: from French, from Latin templum a small timber

British Dictionary definitions for temple (4 of 5)

Temple 1
/ (ˈtɛmpəl) /

noun

either of two buildings in London and Paris that belonged to the Templars. The one in London now houses two of the chief law societies
any of three buildings or groups of buildings erected by the Jews in ancient Jerusalem for the worship of Jehovah

British Dictionary definitions for temple (5 of 5)

Temple 2
/ (ˈtɛmpəl) /

noun

Shirley, married name Shirley Temple Black. born 1928, US film actress and politician. Her films as a child star include Little Miss Marker (1934), Wee Willie Winkie (1937), and Heidi (1937). She was US ambassador to Ghana (1974–76) and to Czechoslovakia (1989–92)
Sir William. 1628–99, English diplomat and essayist. He negotiated the Triple Alliance (1668) and the marriage of William of Orange to Mary II
William. 1881–1944, English prelate and advocate of social reform; archbishop of Canterbury (1942–44)

Medical definitions for temple

temple
[ tĕm′pəl ]

n.

The flat region on either side of the forehead.
Either of the sidepieces of a frame for eyeglasses that extends along the temple and over the ear.

Cultural definitions for temple

Temple

The central place of worship for the Israelites. The first Temple was built in Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem) by King Solomon. The stone tablets received by Moses on Mount Sinai — tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written — were kept in the central chamber of Solomon's Temple. Solomon's Temple was later destroyed, as were two succeeding temples built on the site.

notes for Temple

A wall remaining from the temples, known as the Western Wall, is one of the most sacred places for Jews (see also Jews) today.