charnel

English

Etymology

From Middle French charnel < Late Latin carnāle (“graveyard”) < Latin carnālis, or possibly an alteration of Anglo-Norman charner < Medieval Latin carnārium (“charnel”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): [tʃɑːɹnəl]
• (UK) IPA^(key): [tʃɑːnəl]
• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)nəl

Noun

charnel (plural charnels)

1. A chapel attached to a mortuary.
2. A repository for dead bodies.

Adjective

charnel (comparative more charnel, superlative most charnel)

1. Of or relating to a charnel, deathlike, sepulchral.
   • 1874, James Thomson, The City of Dreadful Night

     He murmured to himself with dull despair,

     Here Faith died, poisoned by this charnel air.

References

• OED2

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French

Etymology

From Latin carnālis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʃaʁ.nɛl/

• Audio

  (file)

Adjective

charnel m (feminine charnelle, masculine plural charnels, feminine plural charnelles)

1. carnal (relating to the physical and especially sexual appetites)

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Old French

Adjective

charnel m, f

1. carnal (relating to the physical and especially sexual appetites)

Declension

  Declension of charnel  

Number	Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter
Singular	Subject	charnex	charnel	charnel
	Oblique	charnel	charnel	charnel
Plural	Subject	charnel	charnex	charnel
	Oblique	charnex	charnex	charnel