(often Tabernacle) a tent sanctuary used by the Israelites during the Exodus
the name in some denominations of Christianity, e.g. the Nonconformists and Mormons, for their meeting place or church of Nonconformists or Mormons
a receptacle for the consecrated bread and wine used at Communion, often forming part of an altar
a niche in a church wall, e.g. for a statue
a support in which a mast is stepped and pivoted so that it can be lowered, e.g. to negotiate a bridge
tabernacular /-ʹnakyoolə/ adj
[Middle English via French from Latin tabernaculum tent, dimin. of taberna hut, tavern]