cibórium

Cibórium is a term with multiple meanings, primarily related to religious and architectural contexts. In ecclesiastical usage, a ciborium refers to a consecrated building, typically a church or chapel, often found in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. The term can also describe a liturgical vessel used for holding the consecrated Eucharist, especially when the host is to be distributed to the congregation. This vessel is usually made of precious metal and covered with a lid.

Architecturally, a ciborium describes a semicircular apse or a vaulted space that is enclosed by a screen or wall, often found in basilicas. Historically, the term also denoted a canopy or covering, particularly a dome or a structure resembling a dome, supported by columns. These canopies were often found over altars in churches, serving both decorative and symbolic purposes. In ancient Rome, a ciborium also referred to a type of cup made from a beetle's horn, though this usage is less common today. The etymology traces back to the Greek word "kibōrion," meaning "box" or "beehive," likely referencing the shape of the earliest ciboria.