canticle
Americannoun
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one of the nonmetrical hymns or chants, chiefly from the Bible, used in church services.
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a song, poem, or hymn especially of praise.
noun
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a nonmetrical hymn, derived from the Bible and used in the liturgy of certain Christian churches
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a song, poem, or hymn, esp one that is religious in character
Etymology
Origin of canticle
1175–1225; Middle English (< Old French ) < Latin canticulum, equivalent to cantic ( um ) song ( see canticum) + -ulum -ule
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.
The Telegraph reported lyrics from the canticle written by a chorister included "Lord, how long shall the ungodly triumph?" and "how long shall all wicked doers speak so disdainfully?"
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2025
The first was Bach’s glorious 12-part canticle, premiered in 1723 as the conclusion of the Christmas Vespers in Leipzig as a sort of meet-your-new-cantor demonstration of his powers.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 17, 2021
These tiny brown natives with a spring canticle that’s been described as a “pinnacle of song complexity” hold their tail upright and shake with sound when they sing.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2021
On February 8th 1996 in Davos, Switzerland, he wrote his most famous and controversial canticle: “A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace.”
From Economist ● Feb. 18, 2018
On Saturday afternoon Ben rounded the corner of River Street and heard Toomer’s voice calling out in a wailing summer canticle to the last shoppers of the day.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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