little hours

American  

plural noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. the hours of prime, tierce, sext, and nones, and sometimes also vespers and compline.

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little hours British  

plural noun

1. RC Church the canonical hours of prime, terce, sext, and nones in the divine office

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Etymology

Origin of little hours

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

little hours

At what time should the little hours be said?

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.

Through such a stupendous curve did the comet of 1843 whirl its tail in two little hours as it rounded the solar orb.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 450 Volume 18, New Series, August 14, 1852 by Chambers, Robert

The night has reached the dreariest of her little hours, that one that seems equally remote from the comfortable shores of the gone day and the coming one.

From Doctor Cupid by Broughton, Rhoda

It was crowded now; the roaring business of the little hours was in full swing.

From The Dop Doctor by Dehan, Richard

But, idol of my heart, though I am overcome with grief at the idea of leaving you for two little hours, it is a question of four thousand francs.

From The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol by Ball, Alec