Question

catafalque (/ˈkatəˌfalk/) Was that not the one time in each ten years when the mummified corpse of St Francis Xavier (as holy a relic as the Prophet's hair) is taken from its vault in the Cathedral of Bom Jesus and carried around the town? Did Mary and old distraught Mrs Pereira, find themselves pressing up against the catafalque; was the old lady beside herself with grief for her daughter's crime?

Accepted Answer

n. A decorated wooden framework supporting the coffin of a distinguished person. Midnight's Children, p. 357

Word	catafalque (/ˈkatəˌfalk/)
Definition	n. A decorated wooden framework supporting the coffin of a distinguished person.
Sentence	Was that not the one time in each ten years when the mummified corpse of St Francis Xavier (as holy a relic as the Prophet's hair) is taken from its vault in the Cathedral of Bom Jesus and carried around the town? Did Mary and old distraught Mrs Pereira, find themselves pressing up against the catafalque; was the old lady beside herself with grief for her daughter's crime?
Source	Midnight's Children, p. 357

Catafalque ˈkatəˌfalk N Decorated Wooden Framework Supporting Coffin