Agnus Dei

American  

[ag-nuhs dee-ahy, de-ee, ah-nyoos de-ee] / ˈæg nəs ˈdi aɪ, ˈdɛ i, ˈɑ njʊs ˈdɛ i /

noun

1. Ecclesiastical.

   1. a figure of a lamb as emblematic of Christ.

   2. such a representation with the nimbus inscribed with the cross about its head, and supporting the banner of the cross.

2. a prayer addressed to Christ as Savior preceding the communion in the Mass.

3. a musical setting of this prayer.

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Agnus Dei British  

/ ˈæɡnʊs ˈdeɪɪ /

noun

1. the figure of a lamb bearing a cross or banner, emblematic of Christ

2. a chant beginning with these words or a translation of them, forming part of the Roman Catholic Mass or sung as an anthem in the Anglican liturgy

3. a wax medallion stamped with a lamb as emblem of Christ and blessed by the pope

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Etymology

Origin of Agnus Dei

< Latin: lamb of God

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Agnus Dei

The Agnus Dei begins in glum realization that there may be no compensation for humanity’s great sins when, again astonishingly without expectation, one of Beethoven’s uniquely wondrous melodies takes over.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026

It's a trait Abigail explores on the opening track, Agnus Dei, which depicts one of her exes as a heavenly apparition, descending from the clouds onto London Bridge.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2025

“I heard the Agnus Dei / Oh, sister of mercy / I’ve been gone too long to say / and all around this place, I was a sad disgrace.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 17, 2017

Tallis, in the concluding Agnus Dei, set up a cascading pattern of imitation that emerged fluidly, obliterating the distance between high and low.

From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2015

Then he unlocked the door of the back room and brought out one of his albums of Gregorian music and he put a Pater Noster and Agnus Dei on the turntable and started it going.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck