the embodiment of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist
Word origin
C16: from Medieval Latin impanātiō, from impanātus embodied in bread, from Latin im- (in) + panis bread
impanation in American English
(ˌɪmpəˈneɪʃən)
noun
Theology
the doctrine that the body and blood of Christ are present in the bread and wine of the Eucharist after consecration but without change in the substance of the bread and wine
see also transubstantiation
Word origin
ML impanatio < pp. of impanare, to embody in bread < L in-, in + panis, bread: see food