Eucharist, n.
Etymology: [L. euchaistia, Gr. yearn: cf. F. euchaistie.]
1. The act of giving thanks; thanksgiving. [Obs.] Led through the vale of tears to the region of eucharist and hallelujahs. South.
2. (Eccl.)
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper; the solemn act of ceremony of commemorating the death of Christ, in the use of bread and wine, as the appointed emblems; the communion. -- See Sacrament.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for eucharist; he lists it under sacrament.
Where he writes about it:
The term eucharist describes the Lord's Supper as a thanksgiving service; it is also called by preeminence the sacrament, as the ratifying of a solemn vow of consecration to Christ. — from sacrament
Antonyms
none given