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Webster 1913 Edition
Catafalque
Cat′a-falqueˊ
,Noun.
[F., fr. It.
catafalco
, scaffold, funeral canopy; of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. catafalso
, cadahalso
, cadalso
, Pr. casafalc
, OF. chafaut
. Cf. Scaffold
.] A temporary structure sometimes used in the funeral solemnities of eminent persons, for the public exhibition of the remains, or their conveyance to the place of burial.