Magnificat

American  

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

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.

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Magnificat British  

/ mæɡˈnɪfɪˌkæt /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Magnificat

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

Example Sentences

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

Still keeping the pews warm in the capital is Doorkins Magnificat, the cat-in-residence at Southwark Cathedral.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2018

Members of the choir will sing to plainsong a verse of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and then the organist will improvise the next verse.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2017

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 go up to my room and look for Mango, whose official name is Mango the Magnificat.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass