mosque

 
Pronunciation: /mɒsk/

noun

  • a Muslim place of worship.
  • Mosques consist of an area reserved for communal prayers, frequently in a domed building with a minaret, and with a niche (mihrab) or other structure indicating the direction of Mecca. There may also be a platform for preaching (minbar), and an adjacent courtyard in which water is provided for the obligatory ablutions before prayer

Origin:

late Middle English: from French mosquée, via Italian and Spanish from Egyptian Arabic masgid