responsory

[ri-spon-suh-ree]

noun

Ecclesiastical.

plural

responsories 

1. an anthem sung after a lection by a soloist and choir alternately.

responsory

/ rɪˈspɒnsərɪ /

noun

1. Christianity an anthem or chant consisting of versicles and responses and recited or sung after a lesson in a church service

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsory¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin respōnsōrium, equivalent to Latin respond ( ēre ) to respond + -tōrium -tory ², with dt > s

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsory¹

C15: from Late Latin rēsponsōrium , from Latin rēspondēre to answer

Example Sentences

Dynamics were also crucial: When Jesus cried out on the cross in the “Tenebrae” responsory, “exclamavit” was startlingly loud; his death, “emisit spiritum,” was barely audible.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I could have inserted dialogismes, displaying their interrogatory part with communicatively pysmatick and sustentative flourishes; or proleptically, with the refutative schemes of anticipation and subjection, and that part which concerns the responsory, with the figures of permission and concession.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

One of the principal changes made in revising the Prayer-book in 1549 was the setting forth of longer Lessons with responsory canticles sung at the end only.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

This responsory system of reading Holy Scripture is still retained in its old form in the case of the Ten Commandments when read in the Communion service.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

The Benedictus has been used as a responsory canticle to the Gospel Lessons from very ancient times as the daily memorial of the Incarnation.

Read more on Project Gutenberg