Dictionary

ambry en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈæm.bɹi/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle English almerie, from Anglo-Norman almarie, aumer, etc., from Old French almarie, from Latin armārium. Doublet of armarium, armoire, and almirah.

Meanings

1. (historical, rare) A bookcase; a library or archive.
   • This collection, then, was the college reference library; corresponding with the common aumbry of the monastery, but also indicative of the principle of all library organisation[…]. 2006, Ernest A Savage, Old English Libraries, page 97:
   • Whanne Bors had told hym of the aduentures of the Sancgreal suche as had befalle hym / and his thre felawes that was launcelot / Percyual / Galahad / & hym self There Launcelot told the aduentures of the Sancgreal / that he had sene / Alle this was made in grete bookes / and put vp in almeryes at Salysbury 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “xxiij”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVII:
2. (obsolete) A storehouse, especially a niche or recess in a wall used for storage.
   • Within the Frater-house Door, on the Left Hand at entering, is a strong Almery in the Wall, wherein a great Mazer, called the Grace Cup, stood, which every Day served the Monks after grace, to drink out of round the Table; which cup was finely edged about with Silver, and double gilt. 1767, Patrick Sanderson, The antiquities of the abbey or cathedral church of Durham. Also a particular description of the county palatine of Durham, compiled from the best authorities and original manuscripts., Durham: printed by J. White and T. Saint, for P. Sanderson, page 72:
   • In the closets or almeries on each side of the Frater-house door in the Cloisters, Towels were kept white and clean to dry their Hands upon. 1767, Patrick Sanderson, The antiquities of the abbey or cathedral church of Durham. Also a particular description of the county palatine of Durham, compiled from the best authorities and original manuscripts., Durham: printed by J. White and T. Saint, for P. Sanderson, page 75:
3. (archaic) A pantry, or place to store food.
   • Used by a wholesaler or retailer as a wine cabinet, the ambry cupboard suited the needs of a neighborhood inn or small-scale private kitchen. 2004, Mary Ellen Snodgrass, Encyclopedia of Kitchen History, page 128:
4. A cupboard or storage area in a church to hold books, communion vessels, vestments, etc. (usually in the sacristy); an armarium.
   • At the end of the bench adjoining to the Frater-house door, was a fine almery fixed to the wall, and another on the other side of the door[…]. 1787, William Hutchinson, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham, volume II, page 64:
   • Nothing else should be kept in the tabernacle or aumbry where the Sacrament is reserved, but a small container of water and a cloth may be kept on the shelf for cleansing one's fingers. 1983, Dennis G. Michno, A Priest's Handbook, Morehouse, published 1998, page 75:
   • Portions of the consecrated bread from the Eucharist were stored or reserved in an ambry or tabernacle to be taken to the sick. 2003, Wm. B. Eerdmans, translating Erwin Fahlbusch et al., The Encyclopedia of Christianity, vol.III, p.321

Forms

Synonyms

pantry (cupboard) · armarium · cupboard (cupboard)

Translations (3)

pl armaria (historical wardrobe or chest) · hu almárium (historical wardrobe or chest) · pl almaria (historical wardrobe or chest)