maundy
Maundy (noun) means the Christian ceremony held on the Thursday before Easter in which feet are washed and alms are distributed, in imitation of Christ washing his disciples' feet at the Last Supper. Example: “The cathedral has kept the maundy every Holy Week for four hundred years.”
How to use maundy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old church ceremony held just before Easter where feet are washed and gifts are given to the poor.
Almost only seen in the fixed terms Maundy Thursday and Royal Maundy; rarely used alone in everyday speech.
Capitalise it when it forms part of a name such as Maundy Thursday.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cathedral has kept the _____ every Holy Week for four hundred years.
Etymology
From Old French mandé, from Latin mandatum 'commandment', the first word of the Latin text of Christ's instruction to his disciples read at the Thursday foot-washing ceremony.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for maundy
See all rhymes for maundy →Frequently asked questions
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the Last Supper and Christ washing the disciples' feet. It marks the start of the Easter Triduum, the three days leading to Easter.
What is the difference between maundy and Maundy money?
Maundy is the ceremony itself, the ancient rite of washing feet and giving alms on the Thursday before Easter. Maundy money is the specific set of silver coins the British monarch hands out during that ceremony.
Why is it called maundy?
The word comes through Old French from the Latin mandatum, meaning 'commandment'. It refers to the new commandment Christ gave at the Last Supper, the passage read during the ceremony.
What is the meaning of maundy?
"maundy" (noun) means the Christian ceremony held on the Thursday before Easter in which feet are washed and alms are distributed, in imitation of Christ washing his disciples' feet at the Last Supper.