incipit

American  

[in-si-pit, ing-ki-pit] / ˈɪn sɪ pɪt, ˈɪŋ kɪ pɪt /

noun

1. the introductory words or opening phrases in the text of a medieval manuscript or an early printed book.

2. Music. the first words of a chanted liturgical text, as that of a Gregorian chant or certain medieval motets.

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incipit British  

/ ˈɪnkɪpɪt /

1. here begins: used as an introductory word at the beginning of some medieval manuscripts

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Etymology

Origin of incipit

1895–1900; < Latin: (here) begins, 3rd-person singular present of incipere

Example Sentences

Next to the name of the weaver’s apprentice were three ominous words: “Hic incipit pestis.”

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2020

The impressive piece, ready to be installed at Newcastle upon Tyne's Castle Keep, is a modern tribute to the incipit of St John's Gospel in principio erat Verbum - "in the beginning was the Word."

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2013

Omine quo firmans animum sic incipit ipsa: Est in Carpathio Neptuni gurgite vates caeruleus Proteus, magnum qui piscibus aequor et iuncto bipedum curru metitur equorum.

From Readings from Latin Verse With Notes by Bushnell, Curtis C.

At cum verbum a consonante incipit, d perdit, ut haut dudum, et haut multum, et haut placitura refert, et inducit t.

From The Roman Pronunciation of Latin Why we use it and how to use it by Lord, Frances Ellen

Let the reader who deems me over-particular remember this caution of Martial:—   'Quem recitas, meus est, O Fidentine, libellus;   Sed male cum recitas, incipit esse tuus.'

From The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell by Lowell, James Russell