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

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

He pointed out the raw power of the Agnus Dei, the final movement, which is punctuated by a moment of great musical turmoil, “representing a world that is careening out of control.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 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

So much so, that Mozart was actually re-using the melody here from the Agnus Dei of his earlier Coronation Mass transposed from the original F major to C major.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 10, 2013

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