noun

maundy

MAWN-dee

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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.”

noun

religion 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.

"The cathedral has kept the maundy every Holy Week for four hundred years."

British In Britain, the specially minted silver coins presented by the monarch to selected elderly people on Maundy Thursday; also called Maundy money.

"She was given the maundy at a service in York Minster and had the coins framed."

How to use maundy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old church ceremony held just before Easter where feet are washed and gifts are given to the poor.

When to use it

Almost only seen in the fixed terms Maundy Thursday and Royal Maundy; rarely used alone in everyday speech.

Memory tip

Capitalise it when it forms part of a name such as Maundy Thursday.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

Monday → bounty →

Common pairings

Maundy Thursday Royal Maundy Maundy money maundy service

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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foot-washing pedilavium

Related words

pedilavium

Rhymes for maundy

Bundy Lundy Mundy grundy burgundy

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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.

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