Gloria in Excelsis Deo

[ glawr-ee-uh in ek-sel-sis dey-oh, glohr- ]

noun

1. the hymn beginning, in Latin, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, “Glory in the highest to God,” and in the English version, “Glory be to God on high.”

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

/ ɛksˈtʃɛlsɪs; ˈɡlɔːrɪˌɑː; ˈɡlɔːrɪə ɪn ɛkˈsɛlsɪsˈ deɪəʊ /

noun

1. the Greater Doxology, beginning in Latin with these words See doxology
2. a musical setting of this, usually incorporated into the Ordinary of the Mass

Word History and Origins

Origin of Gloria in Excelsis Deo¹

literally: glory to God in the highest