kovil means A Hindu temple built in a distinct style of Dravidian architecture. It carries an Arena rating of 1393, earned across 13 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, kovil ranks #1,646 of 17,132 for Most Beautiful Words, #3,356 of 17,128 for Most Vivid Words, #4,425 of 17,149 for Most Exacting Words, #5,359 of 17,126 for Most Satisfying to Say.
kovil is pronounced /ˈkoːvɪl/.
Why “kovil” is a great word
A Hindu temple, especially one built in the distinct and towering style of Dravidian architecture. Its name stems from the Tamil கோவில் (kōvil), from கோ (kō, "king, lord, God") + இல் (il, "house, residence"), literally meaning "the king's house" or "the residence of God." Unlike mandir, a general Sanskrit-derived term for a temple, or devasthanam, a formal designation for an abode of the divine, kovil is specific, local, and sculptural. It is the carved coolness of shadow beneath a monumental gopuram gate, the scent of jasmine and camphor carried on heated stone, and the resonant silence at the heart of a pillared hall—a sanctuary that is not merely a place of worship, but a cosmos in miniature, where the divine king dwells in geometric order.
Etymology
Transliteration of Tamil கோவில் (kōvil, “King's residence, temple”). See also Malay kuil.
noun
- A Hindu temple built in a distinct style of Dravidian architecture.e.g.“Aruna went to the Pittsburgh Perumal kovil yesterday.”
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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