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hostie

communion wafer

noun ohs-TEE Rare
Arts & Culture Religion

Origin: Latin hostia (sacrificial victim)

Also means

host (Eucharist)

Usage Note

Hostie is the consecrated bread used in Catholic Mass, representing the body of Christ. It is an important term in French Catholic culture, especially for those who attended religious schooling. In Quebec French it has become a strong profanity (a sacre), used as an interjection — very offensive in that context.

Examples

"Le prêtre distribue l'hostie aux fidèles."

Natural Translation

The priest distributes the host to the faithful.

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