Magnificat
Americannoun
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(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.
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a musical setting for this.
noun
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.
With Bach’s Magnificat and an encore of “Happy, Happy Shall We Be” from Handel’s “Semele,” “Dixit Dominus” made sure that happiness prevailed.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2025
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 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
The choir will also sing several motets spanning the Renaissance through modern classical compositions, including a Magnificat by Arvo Pärt and a motets by Byrd, Palestrina and Lassus.
From Washington Post • Mar. 4, 2016
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
