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Magnificat

American  
[mag-nif-i-kat, -kaht, mahg-nif-i-kaht, mahn-yif-] / mægˈnɪf ɪˌkæt, -ˌkɑt, mɑgˈnɪf ɪˌkɑt, mɑnˈjɪf- /

noun

  1. (italics) the hymn of the Virgin Mary in Luke, 1:46–55, beginning “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” used as a canticle at evensong or vespers.

  2. a musical setting for this.


Magnificat British  
/ mæɡˈnɪfɪˌkæt /

noun

  1. Christianity the hymn of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46-55), used as a canticle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Magnificat

1150–1200; Middle English < Latin: (it) magnifies (from the first word of the hymn)


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The musician is best known for his choral compositions, including Christmas carols, anthems and extended works such as the Gloria, the Requiem and the Magnificat.

From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2025

Bach’s Magnificat and more, plus an audience sing-along.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 7, 2019

Bach’s Christmas Magnificat was written in 1723 when Bach was a very busy and underpaid teacher and music director in Leipzig.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 9, 2016

I had settled down on the sidewalk when the group started on the opening movement of C. P. E. Bach’s Magnificat, an irresistibly jubilant piece.

From New York Times ● Jun. 22, 2015

A single meeting might include a recital of the Magnificat in Latin by a group of Roman Catholics, a whispered hymn by some Lutherans, and a sotto-voce chant by Eastern Orthodox women.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

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