Tem|ple

tem|ple¹ «TEHM puhl», noun.

1. a building used for the service or worship of a god or gods: »

Greek temples were beautifully built.

SYNONYM(S): sanctuary, tabernacle.

2. Often, Temple. a) any one of three buildings in ancient Jerusalem built at different times on the same spot by the Jews. b) Also, Temple of Solomon. the first of these three buildings, built by Solomon and destroyed by the Babylonians (in the Bible, I Kings 6 and 7).

3. a building set apart for Christian worship; church.

4. a) = synagogue. (Cf. ↑synagogue) b) the services conducted there.

5. a place in which God specially dwells.

6. a Mormon church.

7. a) a building occupied by a local unit of a secret order. b) a local unit of certain secret orders.

╂[Old English tempel < Latin templum. See etym. of doublets temple³ (Cf. ↑temple), templon. (Cf. ↑templon)]

tem|ple² «TEHM puhl», noun.

1. the flattened part on either side of the forehead.

2. U.S. the bow of eyeglasses.

╂[< Old French temple < Vulgar Latin tempula, feminine < Latin tempora, neuter plural of tempus, -oris temple (of the head)]

tem|ple³ «TEHM puhl», noun.

an apparatus in a loom for keeping cloth stretched to its proper width.

╂[< Middle French temple weaver's stretcher, learned borrowing from Latin templum small timber; temple. See etym. of doublets temple¹ (Cf. ↑temple), templon. (Cf. ↑templon)]

Tem|ple «TEHM puhl», noun.

either of two English legal societies (the Inner Temple and Middle Temple).