Ember Days, Chr. (in Anglo-Saxon, ymbren dagas, “recurrent days;” in Latin, jejunia quatuor temporum; in French, les quatre temps, &c.). Special fasts appointed to be observed at the commencement of each of the four seasons of the year. In the Eastern Church there is no trace of such an observance. (The word has no connexion with embers in the sense of ashes.)
Emblazon, Her. (See Blazon.)
Fig. 285. Emblemata.
Emblemata, Gr. (ἐμβάλλω, to put in). Inlaid-work, or (1) Mosaic made of coloured cubes of glass or vitreous enamel. (See Sectile, Tessellatum, Vermiculatum.) Fig. [285] represents emblemata of different kinds of glass. (2) Crusts exquisitely wrought on the surface of vessels or other pieces of furniture; as, for instance, alabaster on marble, gold on silver, silver on bronze. The Romans generally used the term crustæ for this kind of work. From Emblemata is derived our word Emblem, the true meaning of which is “a symbolical figure or composition which conceals an allegory.” Thus an ape symbolized malice and lust; a pelican piety, and the Redeemer’s love for the world. &c. The most important books of Emblems are by Alciati, Paradin, and Sambuco.
Embolismus, Embolis, or Embolum, Chr. (1) An inserted or intercalated prayer in a liturgy. (2) The number of days required to make up the lunar year to the solar. (See Epact.)
Embolium, Gr. and R. (lit. something thrown in). An interlude or comic piece recited by an actress (emboliaria) between the acts of a drama.
Embolos, Arch., Chr. A covered portico or cloister surrounding the external walls of a church.
Embolum, Gr. The Greek term answering to the Latin Rostrum (q.v.). (See also Embolismus.)
Embolus, R. (ἔμβολος). The piston in the chamber of a pump.