Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Ecclesiastical The top surface of an altar.
- noun A southern constellation between Hydrus and Volans.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun In
planetary geology , a largemesa -like area of raised land.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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By the way . . . "mensa" is Latin for "table," so it's not an acronym and doesn't need to be in all caps.
Can You Top This Miss Snark 2005
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The curial mensa, which is of later origin, is of the same nature: the property reserved for the personal maintenance of the parish priest, as distinct from that applied to the expenses of worship or to the support of other clergy, has been regarded as curial mensa.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913
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On it was placed horizontally a slab of marble, called the mensa, on which Mass was celebrated.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Aachen-Assize 1840-1916 1913
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The altar itself, called mensa (table), was generally made of wood, but sometimes of stone, and was covered over with linen cloths.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Aachen-Assize 1840-1916 1913
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The Latin word mensa has for its primitive signification "a table for meals"; it designates by extension the expenses, or better, the necessary resources of sustenance, and generally, all the resources for personal support.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913
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(for in that case every benefice would be a mensa, which is untrue); it is necessary that there be a partition made in the property of one particular church so as to appropriate certain property to the maintenance of the prelate or rector, or of the clergy subject to him; it follows, therefore, that the administration of this property belongs to those who enjoy it.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913
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This is where the city's Youth Hostel is located, but it is doubtful if even the most ardent traveller gets to discover the quirky Food & Art. This is officially a "mensa", a canteen, catering for workmen at the Giudecca's boatyards.
Travel news, travel guides and reviews | guardian.co.uk 2009
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Edoceri, 21, De rescriptis), the abbatial mensa, which the abbot enjoys, is distinct from the conventual mensa, which is applied to the maintenance of the religious community.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913
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supposedmensaman - Besides you being the most ignorant "mensa" ive seen here, your comment "People will start to dislike them." was the funniest thing I've seen in a while, and not for it's hate oriented speech, but if you meant it as a joke, its really really funny.
CNN.com 2011
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Maybe you should scoot on over to the mensa site, they could do with a deep surging intelect such as yours.
Police Complaints; How Soon Is Now? « POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG Inspector Gadget 2009
Prolagus commented on the word mensa
Mensa, in Italian, means refectory.
Therefore, "ci vediamo in mensa" ("see you in mensa") doesn't imply you're talking to a self-styled genius.
April 18, 2009
bilby commented on the word mensa
*blush*
I made this mistake when I was Italy.
April 18, 2009