antiphon
Americannoun
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a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response.
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Ecclesiastical.
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a psalm, hymn, or prayer sung in alternate parts.
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a verse or a series of verses sung as a prelude or conclusion to some part of the service.
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noun
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a short passage, usually from the Bible, recited or sung as a response after certain parts of a liturgical service
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a psalm, hymn, etc, chanted or sung in alternate parts
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any response or answer
Etymology
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
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.
Between the two versions of “Spiritus sanctus vivificans vita,” an antiphon by Hildegard von Bingen, for example, or between that antiphon’s simplicity and the angular density of George Enescu’s “Fantaisie concertante.”
From New York Times ● Dec. 28, 2022
As Scott Metcalfe, the ensemble’s director, said in remarks from the stage, that single antiphon constitutes the complete works of Chamberlayne.
From New York Times ● Feb. 11, 2019
Some of them joined in the singing of the final antiphon, and others took turns walking away from the stage while playing, letting the sound swirl through space like incense.
From New York Times ● Jan. 3, 2013
In antiphon they recited the ancient ritual of the blessing.
From Time Magazine Archive
Later, the terms "anthem" and "antiphon" came to stand for two different ideas.
From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by William James Miller
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