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

Just twenty-four little hours, and she would be mine—the only woman I had ever really coveted, the only one who had ever found the good in me.

From The Rustlers of Pecos County by Grey, Zane

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

Then he had been but two hours late—two poor little hours!

From The Shadow of a Crime A Cumbrian Romance by Caine, Hall, Sir

Think of it! and can we ever hesitate to give all our poor little hours to His service?

From Kept for the Master's Use by Havergal, Frances Ridley

I went along swimmingly into the little hours, but by two o'clock there was a great sameness about it, and I grew desperately sleepy.

From Gala-days by Hamilton, Gail