responsory
Americannoun
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responsories
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of responsory
1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin respōnsōrium, equivalent to Latin respond ( ēre ) to respond + -tōrium -tory 2, with dt > s
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025
Hearken here, Epistemon, my little bully, dost not thou hold him to be very resolute in his responsory verdicts?
From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 3 by Peter Anthony Motteux
At the end of the third, sixth and eighth lesson the Gloria Patri with a repetition of part of the responsory is said.
From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley
It is said in the second responsory in offices of three lessons only.
From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley
The Benedictus has been used as a responsory canticle to the Gospel Lessons from very ancient times as the daily memorial of the Incarnation.
From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by William James Miller
At the heart of the Good Friday and Holy Saturday sections were four responsories from Carlo Gesualdo’s 1611 collection for Holy Week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025
Named for one of his earliest pieces, the album offers a version of the “Dorian” Short Service, hymns and responsories: beauty everywhere, and a few startling harmonic turns.
From New York Times ● Sep. 9, 2015
The piece takes its title, brooding atmosphere and most important thematic source from Gesualdo, using material from one of his responsories for Maundy Thursday.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 10, 2013
This English a cappella choir will also sing a handful of Victoria motets and responsories.
From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2011
They have not the novenas, nor do they know the responsories, versicles, and prayers which the friars have composed for those who lack original ideas and feelings, nor do they understand them.
From The Social Cancer by Charles E. Derbyshire
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
