introit

American  

[in-troh-it, -troit] / ˈɪn troʊ ɪt, -trɔɪt /

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. a part of a psalm with antiphon recited by the celebrant of the Mass at the foot of the altar and, at High Mass, sung by the choir when the priest begins the Mass.

2. Anglican Church, Lutheran Church. a psalm or anthem sung as the celebrant of the Holy Communion enters the sanctuary.

3. a choral response sung at the beginning of a religious service.

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introit British  

/ ˈɪntrɔɪt /

noun

1. RC Church Church of England a short prayer said or sung as the celebrant is entering the sanctuary to celebrate Mass or Holy Communion

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Other Word Forms

• introital adjective

Etymology

Origin of introit

1475–85; < Medieval Latin introitus ( misse or ad missam ), Latin: entrance, beginning, equivalent to intro-, combining form of intrō intro- + -i-, variant stem of īre to go + -tus suffix of v. action

Example Sentences

For me, the highest form of personal and artistic satisfaction is: Some random introit of mine is happening at Magdalen College, Oxford, and they’re also doing the Byrd “Sing Joyfully.”

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2023

The Combined Choirs of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal School Association offer the introit and anthem.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2016

And there is after this deeply impressive introit a gorgeous Promethean spring of up-leaping harmonies.

From Symphonies and Their Meaning; Third Series, Modern Symphonies by Goepp, Philip H.

The introit came, then the Gospel, then the offertory, and the moment arrived when the priest, after consecrating the sacred wafer, took it in his hands and began to elevate it.

From Stories by Foreign Authors: Spanish by Alarcón, Pedro Antonio de

He began the service of Holy Communion by singing the Psalm appointed for the introit.

From The Parish Clerk by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)