canticle

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n canticle a hymn derived from the Bible
    • ***
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • Canticle A canto or division of a poem
    • Canticle A psalm, hymn, or passage from the Bible, arranged for chanting in church service.
    • Canticle A song; esp. a little song or hymn.
    • Canticle The Song of Songs or Song of Solomon, one of the books of the Old Testament.
    • ***
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n canticle One of the non-metrical hymns recorded in the Bible as sung on some special occasion, and expressive of joy, thanksgiving, or confidence in God's help.
    • n canticle One of these hymns, or a composition of similar character, arranged for chanting, and so used in church service. Both the Roman Catholic and the Greek churches use as canticles the songs of Moses (Ex. xv. 1–19 and Deut. xxxii. 1–43), Hannah (1 Sam, ii. 1–10), and Habakkuk (iii. 2–19). In Isaiah the Roman Catholic Church has canticles taken from chapters xii. and xxxviii. (10–20), and the Greek from chapter xxvi. (9–20). The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican churches all use the Benedicite as found in the third chapter of Daniel in the Septuagint and Vulgate, comprising verses 35–66 of the Song of the Three Holy Children in the English Apocrypha; the Greek Church also employs the preceding verses (3–34) as a separate canticle. The three taken from the gospels, and accordingly known as the Evangelical Canticles (namely, the Magnificat, the Benedictus, and the Nunc Dimittis), are also used by all the three churches just named. The Te Deum is accounted a canticle, although not found in the Bible. The English and American Books of Common Prayer also use certain psalms as canticles, namely, psalms lxvii. (Deus Misereatur), xcviii. (Cantate), and c. (Jubilate), to which the American book adds xcii. (Bonum est) and ciii. (Benedic). Some writers also account the Venite (psalm xcv.), the Gloria in Excelsis, and the Trisagion canticles.
    • n canticle Specifically [capitalized] plural The Songs, otherwise called the Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon (LL. Canticum Canticorum Salomonis), one of the books of the Old Testament. Until the nineteenth century it was universally ascribed to Solomon, but some critics now think it of later date.
    • n canticle A division of a song or poem; a canto.
    • n canticle Any song or hymn, properly one that is brief and simple.
    • ***
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Canticle kan′ti-kl a song: a non-metrical hymn, esp. one of those used in the public services of the church, as the Benedicite:
    • n Canticle kan′ti-kl (pl.) the Song of Solomon
    • ***

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
L. canticulum, a little song, dim. of canticum, song, fr. cantus, a singing, fr. coner, to sing. See Chant
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
L. canticulum, dim of canticum.

Usage

In literature:

Imagine, and indeed it happens, the canticle of the Virgin used to magnify the glad impatience of a bride.
"En Route" by J.-K. (Joris-Karl) Huysmans
They were singing canticles as they walked.
"The Merrie Tales Of Jacques Tournebroche" by Anatole France
Pastor, but the notes cannot contaminate,' Monsieur Gabriel would answer; 'Luther himself made use of the monk's melodies in his canticles.
"A German Pompadour" by Marie Hay
After this one of the young girls chanted a canticle, assisted by the others, who joined in.
"Adventures of a Young Naturalist" by Lucien Biart
This silence was only broken by the sound of canticles and psalms sung by the natives in their huts.
"Celebrated Travels and Travellers" by Jules Verne
It characterises the Christian chant or canticle, as a higher thing than a Greek ode, melos, or hymnos, or than a Latin carmen.
"The Crown of Wild Olive" by John Ruskin
Stand forth, old Canticles, 5 and 8th, and let us see whether you have got one or five bottles under your belt.
"Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 17" by Alexander Leighton
Feeling the boat move and seeing the senor leaning over the edge, the old man smiled with amusement, and ended his canticles.
"The Dead Command" by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez
The forest, how readily it responds to the call which has wakened it anew to life, and entones the sweet canticle of Spring!
"The Wagnerian Romances" by Gertrude Hall
They sang all together and with loud voices the canticle called 'A Refuge fast is God the Lord.
"The Fifth Queen Crowned" by Ford Madox Ford
***

In poetry:

The measure of a blessed hymn,
To which our hearts could move;
The breathing of an inward psalm,
A canticle of love.
"Gone" by John Greenleaf Whittier
The heart must ring Thy Christmas bells,
Thy inward altars raise;
Its faith and hope Thy canticles,
And its obedience praise!
"Our Master" by John Greenleaf Whittier

In news:

Brother Al and the Canticle Cafe.
americancatholic.org
" Canticle of Praise/Sacramento Stained Glass Concert One" will be performed at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday, Oct 29, at 8 pm and on Sunday, Oct 30, at 3 pm The cathedral is located at 1017 11t St in Sacramento.
villagelife.com
The Old Testament canticle for Lauds this morning is from Jeremiah (14:17-21).
commonwealmagazine.org
The music is a setting of the Canticle of Mary, from the Gospel According to Luke.
post-journal.com
Canticle of the Washing Machine.
americamagazine.org
The Westfield Community Chorus will be performing the Christmas cantata "Canticle of Christmas" by Tom Fetke and Camp Kirkland.
observertoday.com
Jay Rosen Quartet Canticles for the Millennium CIMP Recordings.
jazztimes.com
Canticles marks drummer Jay Rosen 's first date as a leader, a debut he's chosen to share with three veteran hornmen more often found leading their own groups: Paul Smoker (trumpet), Vinny Golia and Mark Whitecage (clarinets, saxophones).
jazztimes.com
Canticle of the Washing Machine .
americamagazine.org
***

Related words