Caliz

Caliz is a term used in various languages to refer to a ceremonial cup, or chalice, particularly in liturgical contexts. The primary sense is the vessel used to hold wine during the Eucharist. The word is cognate with Latin calix, calicis and with English calyx and chalice; all descend from Greek kalux, meaning “cup” or “bowl.” In Spanish, the standard spelling is cáliz, with a written accent; caliz appears in older texts or in contexts where diacritics are omitted. Other Romance languages have cognate forms such as French calice or Italian calice, all sharing the same origin.

In English-language usage, caliz is uncommon and usually appears in historical texts, transliterations, or as a component of proper nouns. In discussions of liturgical vessels, chalice is the preferred term; caliz may be encountered as a variant spelling or in names.

Beyond religious usage, caliz may function as a surname or place name in some regions, although such uses are not widespread and tend to be context-specific. The term should be distinguished from calyx, the botanical term for a flower’s sepals, which shares the same Latin root but a different sense.

Notable related terms include chalice, cáliz, calice, and calix, which reflect the shared Indo-European heritage of the word.