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

See Examples For:

incipit

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

On fol. iiii. the "Prologus Jacobi Locher ... incipit," followed by its translation into English.

From The Ship of Fools, Volume 1 by Alexander Barclay

Perhaps this was not true; one must overlook the aphorisms of a man who had grown old in self-sacrifice and self-abnegation, and who was wont to say: Charitas incipit a me.

From The Patriot Piccolo Mondo Antico by Antonio Fogazzaro

Here the only difficulty arises in the case of documents whose incipit has been lost.

From Introduction to the Study of History by George Godfrey Berry