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tenebrae

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /ˈtɛn.ə.breɪ/

KK: /tɛnˈɛbri/

noun
Definition

A religious service held during the last days of Holy Week that remembers the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.


Example

The church held a special tenebrae service to honor the events of Holy Week.


Conversation
Sloth A
Are you going to the tenebrae service this week?
Sloth B
Yeah, I think it’s a meaningful way to reflect on the season.
Sloth A
I agree, the tenebrae really captures the somber mood of Holy Week.
Sloth B
Definitely! I always find it to be a powerful experience.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
liturgy
service
rite
Antonyms
celebration
joy
feast
Root Explanation

**Tenebrae** → It originates from Latin *tenebrae*, meaning darkness or shadows. The word refers to a state of being dark or the absence of light.

Memory Tip

Imagine a place filled with shadows and darkness, as 'tenebrae' directly connects to the idea of being in darkness.

Visually Confused Words
sternebrae
obtenebrate
terebrate
sternebra
terebra
tengere
enbrave
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