Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
charnel-house
noun
/ˈtʃɑːr.nəl.haʊs/
Definition
A charnel-house is a building or vault where the bones of dead people are stored, typically associated with burial grounds.
Examples
- During their exploration of the ancient burial site, the archaeologists discovered a charnel-house filled with human remains.
- The charnel-house served as a solemn reminder of the lives that had once been and the cultures that honored their dead.
- In older literature, you might encounter descriptions of charnel-houses that evoke feelings of mystery and dread.
Meaning
It refers to a place where human remains are kept, often used to describe a structure that holds the skeletons and remains of the deceased.
Synonyms
- ossuary
- mausoleum
- sepulcher
