Temples

/ˈtem.pəlz/ noun

Definition

Either buildings used for religious worship and ceremonies, or the flat areas on both sides of the forehead near the eyes. The plural can refer to multiple places of worship or the paired parts of the head.

Etymology

From Latin 'templum' meaning 'sacred building.' The anatomical meaning (sides of the head) comes from the same Latin root, referring to the 'temples' of time (tempus) where people would see hair graying with age.

Kelly Says

It's fascinating that 'temple' means both a place of worship and the side of your head—the anatomical term relates to 'tempus,' Latin for time, because ancient people saw temples (the side of the face) as where time's effects showed first.

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