temple hall; imperial court; government
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
temple; ancestral hall
neutralRefers to the buildings used for worship, such as Buddhist or Taoist temples, or halls for ancestral rites.
The temple on the mountain is very popular with worshippers.
The clan holds sacrificial rites in the ancestral hall every year.
noun
imperial court; the government (in classical context)
literaryA classical literary term, used historically to refer to the seat of the emperor or the central government. It carries a formal, elevated register.
Although he lived among the common people, his heart was with the affairs of the imperial court.
This article discusses how the decisions of the ancient imperial court influenced the lives of the common people.
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Fan Zhongyan's line, 'Worry about the people when you hold high office in the court,' is a famous saying through the ages.