How Do You Spell COLUMBARIES?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒləmbəɹiz] (IPA)

Columbaries is a word that describes a place where cremated remains are stored. The correct spelling of the word is /ˌkɒl.əmˈbær.iz/, which is pronounced as kuh-luhm-bair-eez. In this word, the emphasis is on the second syllable, and it is spelled with the letters "o" and "u" combining to form the /ʌ/ sound. The final syllable in the word is spelled with the letters "a-r-i-e-s", which makes the /eez/ sound. It's important to know the correct spelling and pronunciation of words to communicate effectively.

COLUMBARIES Meaning and Definition

1. Columbaries are designated structures or rooms within a building, often found in cemeteries or religious institutions, designed to house a large number of small compartments known as niches. These niches are specifically created to hold cremated remains, also known as cremains, after the process of cremation. The term "columbarium" itself is derived from the Latin word "columba," meaning dove, as these structures were originally used to house doves or pigeons in ancient Rome.

   Typically constructed with several rows of compartments stacked above one another, a columbarium allows families and individuals to store and memorialize the ashes of their loved ones in an organized and respectful manner. Each compartment, known as a niche, is usually designed to hold an urn containing the cremated remains. Proper labels or plaques, often displaying the name and relevant dates of the deceased, are placed on or near the respective niches to provide a personalized tribute and facilitate identification.

   Columbaries offer families a variety of options for memorialization, such as personalized artwork, engravings, or additional decorative elements on the niches themselves. They also serve as a place for individuals to visit and pay respects to their loved ones in a tranquil and reverential setting. Additionally, columbaries can be found in religious institutions, fulfilling spiritual and religious requirements for the final resting place of the deceased.

   Overall, columbaries provide a dignified and efficient method for the storage and memorialization of cremated remains, ensuring a respectful and lasting tribute to the departed.

Common Misspellings for COLUMBARIES

• coloumbaries

Etymology of COLUMBARIES

The word "columbaries" is derived from the Latin term "columbarium", which was originally used to describe a compartmentalized structure for housing doves or pigeons. In Ancient Rome, it specifically referred to a repository for cremated ashes or funerary urns, resembling a dovecote. Over time, the term "columbarium" expanded its meaning to indicate a place or building where niches or compartments are built to house urns containing the ashes of the deceased. This Latin word ultimately originates from the root "columba", meaning "dove" or "pigeon", due to the resemblance of these structures to birdcages or dovecotes.