Definition

A religious ceremony in which holy water is sprinkled on the altar, clergy, and congregation, often used in the Roman Catholic Church.

Example

During the service, the priest performed the asperges to bless the congregation with holy water.

Conversation

Did you see the asperges ceremony at the church last Sunday?

Yeah, it was really beautiful to watch.

I loved how the priest sprinkled everyone with holy water during the asperges.

It definitely added a special touch to the service.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Asperges comes from the Latin verb "aspergere" (meaning to sprinkle or scatter). The word is often associated with the ritual of sprinkling holy water in religious ceremonies. Thus, "asperges" refers to the act of sprinkling, particularly in a liturgical context.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for sprinkling ('aspergere') to remember that 'asperges' means to sprinkle, especially in a ceremonial way.

Visually Confused Words