: a basin for holy water at the entrance of a church
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThin footpaths weave past remnants of a fifth-century hut, ancient field boundaries and an eighth-century medieval chapel, still with its holy water stoup. Kate Eshelby, CNN, 14 June 2021 Likely used between Edward and Henry’s reigns, the stoup, or basin, held holy water for monks to wash their hands in upon entering the abbey. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2020 The stoups were dry in churches in the weeks leading to the shelter-in-place order. Marc Bona, cleveland, 26 Apr. 2020 Churchgoers have been asked to stop shaking hands, communal cups are in storage and holy water stoups are dry.Fox News, 4 Mar. 2020
Word History
Etymology
Middle English stowp, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse staup cup; akin to Old English stēap flagon