baldacchino

canopy

noun bal-DAHK-kee-noh Rare

Origin: From Baldacco (Baghdad), source of the rich brocade fabric used for these canopies.

Also means

baldachin (ornamental cloth covering)

Usage Note

Baldacchino refers to a ceremonial canopy held over a monarch or displayed above an altar — a distinctly formal, architectural or liturgical object. In churches it often designates the large stone or bronze canopy over a high altar, as in Bernini's famous baldacchino in St. Peter's Basilica. Its plural is regular: i baldacchini.

Examples

"Il baldacchino dell'altare è dorato."

Natural Translation

The altar canopy is gilded.

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