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antiphon

[ an-tuh-fon ]
/ ˈæn təˌfɒn /
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noun
a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response.
Ecclesiastical.
  1. a psalm, hymn, or prayer sung in alternate parts.
  2. a verse or a series of verses sung as a prelude or conclusion to some part of the service.
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Origin of antiphon

1490–1500; <Medieval Latin antiphōna responsive singing <Greek (tà) antíphōna, neuter plural of antíphōnos sounding in answer, equivalent to anti-anti- + phōn(ḗ) sound + -os adj. suffix. Cf. anthem

Words nearby antiphon

antiperiodic, antiperistalsis, antipersonnel, antiperspirant, antiphlogistic, antiphon, antiphonal, antiphonary, antiphony, antiphrasis, Antiphus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to antiphon

comment, explanation, feedback, interpretation, justification, key, observation, rebuttal, remark, report, resolution, response, result, return, sign, solution, statement, acknowledgment, reaction, rejoinder

How to use antiphon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for antiphon

antiphon
/ (ˈæntɪfən) /
noun
a short passage, usually from the Bible, recited or sung as a response after certain parts of a liturgical service
a psalm, hymn, etc, chanted or sung in alternate parts
any response or answer

Word Origin for antiphon

C15: from Late Latin antiphōna sung responses, from Late Greek, plural of antiphōnon (something) responsive, from antiphōnos, from anti- + phōnē sound
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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