What is "shrine"

Shrine \Shrine\ (shr[imac]n), n. [OE. schrin, AS. scr[=i]n, from L. scrinium a case, chest, box.]

1. A case, box, or receptacle, especially one in which are deposited sacred relics, as the bones of a saint.

2. Any sacred place, as an altar, tromb, or the like.

   Too weak the sacred shrine guard.
   --Byron.

3. A place or object hallowed from its history or associations; as, a shrine of art.

4. Short for

   Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a secret fraternal organization professedly originated by one Kalif Alu, a son-in-law of Mohammed, at Mecca, in the year of the Hegira 25 (about 646 a. d.) In the modern order, established in the United States in 1872, only Knights Templars or thirty-second degree Masons are eligible for admission, though the order itself is not Masonic. A member of the order is popularly called a Shriner, and the order itself is sometimes called the Shriners.

Shrine \Shrine\, v. t. To enshrine; to place reverently, as in a shrine. ``Shrined in his sanctuary.''
--Milton.

Old English scrin "ark (of the covenant); chest, coffer; case for relics," from Latin scrinium "case or box for keeping papers," of unknown origin. From late 14c. as "a tomb of a saint" (usually elaborate and large). A widespread word, compare Dutch schrijn, German Schrein, French écrin, Russian skrynya, Lithuanian skrine.\n\n

n. 1 A holy or sacred place dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, or similar figure of awe and respect, at which said figure is venerated or worshipped. 2 A case, box, or receptacle, especially one in which are deposited sacred relics, as the bones of a saint. 3 A place or object hallowed from its history or associations. vb. To enshrine; to place reverently, as if in a shrine.

1. n. a place of worship hallowed by association with some sacred thing or person

2. v. enclose in a shrine; "the saint's bones were enshrined in the cathedral" [syn: enshrine]

A shrine is a holy or sacred place.

Shrine may also refer to:

A shrine ( "case or chest for books or papers"; Old French: escrin "box or case") is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon, or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated. A shrine at which votive offerings are made is called an altar. Shrines are found in many of the world's religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese folk religion, Shinto, and Asatru as well as in secular and non-religious settings such as a war memorial. Shrines can be found in various settings, such as churches, temples, cemeteries, or in the home, although portable shrines are also found in some cultures.

A shrine may become a focus of a cult image.

Shrine ( 1983) is a horror novel by James Herbert, exploring themes of religious ecstasy, mass hysteria, demonic possession, faith healing and Catholicism. The story is about Alice Pagett, a deaf-mute child who's cured one night when she runs to an oak tree behind St. Joseph's, her local church. She's found by reporter Gerry Fenn and, when news of her cure spreads, their village becomes ablaze with publicity. After Alice performs several " miracle" cures in front of the tree, and claims to have seen the Virgin Mary there, it starts to be treated as a Lourdes-like shrine by Catholic pilgrims. St. Joseph's priest, Father Hagan, however, senses spiritual danger.