temple
temple
Pronunciation
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
tem-: /tɛm/
-ple: /pəl/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: temple
Plural Noun: temples
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A building dedicated to the worship of a god or gods, or in which religious rites are performed.
Synonyms: sanctuary, shrine, church, mosque, synagogue, pagoda
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "secular building" or "profane place" might be considered opposite in nature, but not lexical antonyms)
Definition 2: (Anatomy) The flattened area on either side of the human head, located behind the eye and in front of the ear, above the cheekbone.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; refers to a specific anatomical part)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Examples of Use
Books: "Within the city, the Golden Temple gleamed, a beacon of peace in a troubled land." (From a historical novel about India)
Newspapers: "Authorities are investigating the recent vandalism at the ancient Roman temple ruins." ( The Guardian)
Online Publications: "Yoga practitioners often touch their temples during certain meditative poses to promote relaxation." ( MindBodyGreen.com)
Entertainment Mediums (Film): In the film "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," the protagonist searches for ancient artifacts within a dangerous temple.
Entertainment Mediums (Music): "My body is a temple, treat it with respect," a line from a popular hip-hop song about self-care.
Entertainment Platforms (Video Game): Players in "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" must navigate the 'Water Temple' to progress through the story.
General Public Discourse: "We visited the beautiful Buddhist temple during our trip to Thailand last month."
General Public Discourse: "He rubbed his temples, trying to alleviate the pounding headache."
10 Quotes Using Temple
"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." (Dalai Lama XIV)
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
"The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance." (Benjamin Franklin)
"The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history." (Carl T. Rowan)
"The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand." (Sun Tzu)
"The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers." (Matsuo Basho)
"I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit." (Khalil Gibran)
"My body is a temple, and my temple needs redecorating." (Joan Rivers)
"The groves were God's first temples." (William Cullen Bryant)
"A temple is a sanctuary for the wandering heart." (AIGIFT.com)
Etymology
The word "temple" actually has two main origins, which is why it has two distinct meanings today!
1. Temple (as in a place of worship):
This meaning comes from the Latin word "templum." In ancient Rome, a "templum" wasn't just a building; it was a special, marked-out area, often on high ground, that priests (called augurs) would designate for observing the flight of birds to predict the future. They would literally "cut out" or "mark off" this sacred space. So, the first known meaning was about a consecrated or set-apart space for religious observation or worship. Over time, this concept evolved to refer specifically to the buildings themselves where people would gather to worship gods. You can see this connection to "cutting" or "marking out a space" in related words like "template" (a pattern for cutting or shaping something). This sense of the word was recorded in English as early as the Old English period (before 1150 AD).
2. Temple (as in the side of your head):
This meaning comes from a different Latin root. It evolved from the Latin word "tempora," which was the plural form of "tempus," meaning "side of the forehead" or "time." The idea here is that this part of the head is where the skin is thin and stretches, or perhaps it was considered a "vital spot." This use of "temple" appeared in English around the early 14th century. It's interesting that the Latin word "tempus" also means "time," and while they look similar, the anatomical "temple" and "time" are generally considered to have separate origins in Latin, though both relate to a sense of "stretching" or "extent."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Temple
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "temple":
Body is a temple: This idiom means one's body is sacred and should be treated with great care and respect (often related to health and diet).
Rub one's temples: To massage the sides of one's forehead, usually to relieve a headache or stress.
A temple of learning: A place dedicated to education and intellectual pursuit, such as a university or library.
To go to the temple: To attend a religious service or perform rituals at a place of worship.
Temple of justice: A metaphorical term for a courthouse or the legal system.
The temple of democracy: A metaphorical reference to a legislative building or the principles of democratic governance.
Rend the temple veil: (Biblical idiom) To dramatically tear apart something sacred, signifying a profound spiritual or symbolic shift.
Sanctuary of peace (using a synonym for similar effect): A place that offers refuge and tranquility.
A shrine to knowledge (using a synonym for similar effect): A place highly regarded for its accumulation of information or wisdom.
Hallowed ground (using a synonym for similar effect): Sacred or revered land, often associated with religious significance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of temple from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
