Origin and history of tabernacle

mid-13c., "portable sanctuary carried by the Israelites in the wilderness," from Old French tabernacle "the Jewish Tabernacle; tent, canopy; tomb, monument" (12c.), from Latin tabernaculum "tent," especially "a tent of an augur" (for taking observations), diminutive of taberna "hut, cabin, booth" (see tavern).

The sense of the word in English shifted by late 14c. to "the Temple in Jerusalem" (which continued the function of the tabernacle). Also in Biblical language, "the body as the temporary abode of the soul" (late 14c.). By late 15c. as a name for a receptacle for the eucharist.

The sense of "house of worship" (generally a temporary one or somehow otherwise distinguished from a church) is by 1690s; especially in reference to places of worship for Nonconformists (1768).

The Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles (mid-October) was observed as a thanksgiving for harvest. This was rendered in English c. 1400 as Feste of Logges ("lodges"). Related: Tabernacular. A late 15c. adjective was tabernaculid "covered with a canopy."