Eucharist [yoo-kuh-rist] Word Origin noun
- the sacrament of Holy Communion; the sacrifice of the Mass; the Lord’s Supper.
- the consecrated elements of the Holy Communion, especially the bread.
- (lowercase) the giving of thanks; thanksgiving.
- Christian Science. spiritual communion with God.
Origin of Eucharist 1350–1400; Middle English eukarist Late Latin eucharistia Greek eucharístia gratefulness, thanksgiving. See eu-, charisma, -ia Related formsEu·cha·ris·tic, Eu·cha·ris·ti·cal, adjectiveEu·cha·ris·ti·cal·ly, adverbun-Eu·cha·ris·tic, adjectiveun-Eu·cha·ris·ti·cal, adjectiveun-Eu·cha·ris·ti·cal·ly, adverb Related Words for eucharist oblation, communion, mass, sacrament British Dictionary definitions for eucharist Eucharist noun
- the Christian sacrament in which Christ’s Last Supper is commemorated by the consecration of bread and wine
- the consecrated elements of bread and wine offered in the sacrament
- Mass, esp when regarded as the service where the sacrament of the Eucharist is administered
Derived FormsEucharistic or Eucharistical, adjectiveEucharistically, adverbWord Origin for Eucharist C14: via Church Latin from Greek eukharistia, from eukharistos thankful, from eu- + kharizesthai to show favour, from kharis favour Word Origin and History for eucharist Eucharist n.
“sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the Communion,” mid-14c., from Old French eucariste, from Late Latin eucharistia, from Greek eukharistia “thanksgiving, gratitude,” later “the Lord’s Supper,” from eukharistos “grateful,” from eu “well” (see eu-) + stem of kharizesthai “show favor,” from kharis “favor, grace,” from PIE root *gher- “to like, want” (see hortatory). Eukharisteo is the usual verb for “to thank, to be thankful” in the Septuagint and New Testament. Related: Eucharistic.
eucharist in Culture Eucharist [(yooh-kuh-rist)]
The sacrament of Communion among Christians (see also Christian).