Eucharist

From Middle English eukarist, from Old French, from Ecclesiastical Latin eucharistia, from Ancient Greek εὐχαριστία (eukharistía, “gratitude, giving of thanks”). Displaced native Old English hūsl.

• IPA^(key): /ˈjuːkəɹɪst/, /ˈjuːkɹɪst/
• Hyphenation: Eu‧cha‧rist, Euch‧arist

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Eucharist (plural Eucharists)

1. (Christianity) A Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper of Christ, with the physical forms of bread and usually wine which are believed by certain denominations to become Christ himself or to host his spiritual presence.

   Synonyms: Holy Communion, Communion

2. (by extension) A Christian religious service in which this sacrament is enacted.

   Synonyms: (Western Christianity) Mass, (Byzantine Christianity) Divine Liturgy, (Syriac Christianity) Qurbana, (informal) church

3. The substances received during this sacrament, namely the bread and wine, seen as Christ’s body and blood.

   Synonyms: (Eastern Christianity) the elements, communion, Communion

• (substances): Precious Blood (Roman Catholicism), Body of Christ

• thesauric