I. ˈchärn ə l, -ȧn- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin carnale, from Late Latin, neuter of carnalis fleshly — more at carnal
1. obsolete : cemetery
2.
a. or charnel house : a building, chamber, or other area in which bodies or bones are deposited
b. : a mortuary chapel
II. adjective
1. : constituting a charnel
2. : gruesomely indicative or suggestive of death : sepulchral , ghastly
a chest filled full of dead men's bones. A charnel smell came from them — Hope Muntz
devices to which the charnel superstition of the monks has given rise — E.A.Poe
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French chernel, from Latin cardinalis of a hinge — more at cardinal
obsolete : a hinge especially of a helmet