ˈhīˌkäl, ˈhāˌ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Syriac haykal & Hebrew hēkhāl, from Assyro-Babylonian ēkallu, from Sumerian e gal temple, palace, from e house + gal great
1. : a sanctuary of a Coptic church cut off from the nave by a screen and containing three altars
2. : the main altar