n. Roman Catholic Church, pl., -gil·la (-jĭl'ə), or -gil·lums.
An instrument, such as a brush or a perforated container, used for sprinkling holy water.
[New Latin, from Latin aspergere, to sprinkle. See asperse.]
aspergillum
Dictionary:
as·per·gil·lum (ăs'pər-jĭl'əm)  or as·per·gill
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(-jĭl)
n. Roman Catholic Church, pl., -gil·la (-jĭl'ə), or -gil·lums.
An instrument, such as a brush or a perforated container, used for sprinkling holy water.
n. Roman Catholic Church, pl., -gil·la (-jĭl'ə), or -gil·lums.
An instrument, such as a brush or a perforated container, used for sprinkling holy water.
| 5min Related Video: aspergillum |
| WordNet: aspergill |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
a short-handled device with a globe containing a sponge; used for sprinkling holy water
| Wikipedia: Aspergillum |
An aspergillum (less commonly, aspergilium or aspergil) is a liturgical implement used to sprinkle holy water. It comes in two common forms: a brush that is dipped in the water and shaken, and a perforated ball at the end of a short handle. Some have sponges or internal reservoirs that dispense holy water when shaken, while others must periodically be dipped in an aspersorium (holy water bucket, known to art historians as a situla).
An aspergillum is used in Roman Catholic and Anglican ceremonies, including the Rite of Baptism and during the Easter Season. In addition, a priest will use the aspergillum to bless the candles during candlemas services and the palms during Palm Sunday Mass. At a requiem, if a casket is present, the priest will sprinkle holy water on the casket. The aspergillum can be used in other manners where sprinkling of holy water is appropriate, as in a house blessing, in which the priest might bless the entry to the home. The name derives from the Latin verb aspergere 'to sprinkle'.
The form of the aspergillum differs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the Greek Orthodox Church the aspergillum (randistirion) is in the form of a standing vessel with a tapering lid. The top of the lid has holes in it from which the water is sprinkled. In the Russian Orthodox Church the aspergillium is in the form of a whisk made of cloth or hair. Sometimes, sprigs of basil are used to sprinkle holy water. In some of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, no aspergillum is used, but the priest will pour holy water into the palm of his right hand and throw it on the faithful.
An aspergillium is also used by some Wiccans and other Witches to cleanse the ritual area (known as a Circle) prior to one of eight seasonal rituals, known as Sabbats, or a spell. Lunarized water, saltwater, or rainwater is used as opposed to Christian holy water.[citation needed]
Aspergillus, a genus of mold, was named in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pietro Antonio Micheli. When viewed under a microscope, the mold cells were said to resemble an aspergillum.
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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