Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Tabernacle

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Tabernacle: noun - Jewish History: curtained tent used as a temporary sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness; the Jewish Temple, continuing the sacred functions and associations of the earlier tabernacle; dwelling place, a place of abode; the place where God dwells; the human body when considered the temporary dwelling of the soul or centre of life; ornate canopied structure, as a tomb or shrine; canopied niche or recess for holding an image; Ecclesiastical: ornamented box or container for the pyx (itself a container for consecrated host used in Holy Communion); biblical use, a portable temporary dwelling, hut, tent, booth; temporary place of worship, particularly one used whilst churches were rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666; meeting house or other place of worship; Nautical: socket or support for a ship’s mast, hinged at the base to allow it to be lowered to pass under bridges.

‘If you talk of the tabernacle out of context, I’ll never be sure whether you’re referring to the tent used in the desert, the original Temple or simply a place where your god lives; you’ll need to be more specific for me.’

‘Mary, unlatch the locking pin from the tabernacle so I can lower the mast before we crash into that bridge ahead.’