compline

American  

[kom-plin, -plahyn] / ˈkɒm plɪn, -plaɪn /

Also complin

noun

Ecclesiastical.

1. the last of the seven canonical hours, or the service for it, originally occurring after the evening meal but now usually following immediately upon vespers.

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compline British  

/ ˈkɒmplɪn, ˈkɒmplɪn, -plaɪn /

noun

1. RC Church the last of the seven canonical hours of the divine office

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Etymology

Origin of compline

1175–1225; Middle English comp ( e ) lin, equivalent to compli, cump ( e ) lie (< Old French complie, cumplie < Latin complēta ( hōra ) complete (hour) + -in (of matin )

Example Sentences

I have also, for example, gathered over Zoom with friends for compline, a nighttime prayer with roots in the medieval monastic tradition.

From New York Times • May 8, 2020

During the season of Lent, the service of compline will be sung each Sunday night.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2017

The ancient service of compline, chanted in the beauty and warmth of candlelight by the St. John’s Choir, will be directed by organist and choirmaster Samuel Carabetta.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2017

In his journal, he usually timed events by "tierce, vespers and compline, three of the canonical hours of prayer."

From Time Magazine Archive

As I stared at it, the bells in its square steeple rang the hour of compline.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood