a. and sb. [f. L. custōdia custody + -AL.]
A. adj. Relating to custody or guardianship.
1772. Letter to Bp. Rochester, 2 (R.). The custodial charges and government [of a church].
1841. L’pool. Jrnl., 4 Dec. After much learned argument as to the custodial relations of illegitimate children.
1887. T. R. Sullivan, in Scribn. Mag., II. 147/2. Custodial duties.
B. sb. A vessel for preserving sacred objects, as the host, relics, etc. (Cf. F. custode.)
1860. Reade, Cloister & H., lxii. (D.). The priest … then took the custodial, and showed the patient the Corpus Domini within.
1887. J. R. Hutchinson, trans. Viresalingam’s Fortune’s Wheel, vi. 65. Harisastri picked up his custodial and withdrew.
