charnel

[ chahr-nl ]

See synonyms for charnel on Thesaurus.com

noun

a repository for dead bodies.

adjective

of, like, or fit for a charnel; deathlike; sepulchral.

Origin of charnel

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin carnāle, noun and adjective use of neuter of carnāliscarnal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for charnel

charnel

/ (ˈtʃɑːnəl) /

noun

short for charnel house

adjective

ghastly; sepulchral; deathly

Origin of charnel

C14: from Old French: burial place, from Latin carnālis fleshly, carnal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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