ambry

Noun

ambry (plural ambries)

1. (historical, rare) A bookcase; a library or archive.
   • Whanne Bors had told hym of the aduentures of the Sancgreal suche as had befalle hym / and his thre felawes that was launcelot / Percyual / Galahad / & hym self There Launcelot told the aduentures of the Sancgreal / that he had sene / Alle this was made in grete bookes / and put vp in almeryes at...1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “xxiij”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVII
   • This collection, then, was the college reference library; corresponding with the common aumbry of the monastery, but also indicative of the principle of all library organisation[…].2006, Ernest A Savage, Old English Libraries, page 97
2. (obsolete) A storehouse, especially a niche or recess in a wall used for storage.
   • In the closets or almeries on each side of the Frater-house door in the Cloisters, Towels were kept white and clean to dry their Hands upon.1767, Patrick Sanderson, The antiquities of the abbey or cathedral church of Durham. Also a particular description of the county palatine of Durham, compiled from the best authorities and original...
   • Within the Frater-house Door, on the Left Hand at entering, is a strong Almery in the Wall, wherein a great Mazer, called the Grace Cup, stood, which every Day served the Monks after grace, to drink out of round the Table; which cup was finely edged about with Silver, and double gilt.1767, Patrick Sanderson, The antiquities of the abbey or cathedral church of Durham. Also a particular description of the county palatine of Durham, compiled from the best authorities and original...
3. (archaic) A pantry, or place to store food.
   • Used by a wholesaler or retailer as a wine cabinet, the ambry cupboard suited the needs of a neighborhood inn or small-scale private kitchen.2004, Mary Ellen Snodgrass, Encyclopedia of Kitchen History, page 128
4. A cupboard or storage area in a church to hold books, communion vessels, vestments, etc. (usually in the sacristy); an armarium.
   • At the end of the bench adjoining to the Frater-house door, was a fine almery fixed to the wall, and another on the other side of the door[…].1787, William Hutchinson, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham, volume II, page 64
   • Nothing else should be kept in the tabernacle or aumbry where the Sacrament is reserved, but a small container of water and a cloth may be kept on the shelf for cleansing one's fingers.1983, Dennis G. Michno, A Priest's Handbook, Morehouse, published 1998, page 75

   Synonyms:

   cupboard, pantry