canonical hour


noun
  1. Ecclesiastical. any of certain periods of the day set apart for prayer and devotion: these are matins and lauds, prime, tierce, sext, nones, vespers, and compline.

Origin of canonical hour

1
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Words Nearby canonical hour

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How to use canonical hour in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for canonical hour

canonical hour

noun
  1. RC Church

    • one of the seven prayer times appointed for each day by canon law

    • the services prescribed for these times, namely matins, prime, terce, sext, nones, vespers, and compline

  2. Church of England any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at which marriages may lawfully be celebrated

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