Miserere

American  

[miz-uh-rair-ee, -reer-ee] / ˌmɪz əˈrɛər i, -ˈrɪər i /

noun

1. the 51st Psalm, or the 50th in the Douay Bible.

2. a musical setting for it.

3. (lowercase) a prayer or expression of appeal for mercy.

4. (lowercase) misericord.

---

Miserere ¹ British  

/ ˌmɪzəˈrɛərɪ, -ˈrɪərɪ /

noun

1. the 51st psalm, the Latin version of which begins "Miserere mei, Deus" ("Have mercy on me, O God")

---

miserere ² British  

/ -ˈrɪərɪ, ˌmɪzəˈrɛərɪ /

noun

1. another word for misericord

---

Etymology

Origin of Miserere

From the Latin word miserēre literally, have pity (imperative), first word of the psalm

Example Sentences

The gala recital drew on Callas' vast repertoire to include arias such as "Casta Diva" from Bellini's "Norma", "Miserere" from Verdi's "Il Trovatore" and a fully-staged performance of Act II of "Tosca".

From Reuters • Nov. 9, 2023

Gershon told the audience that "Miserere" was jealously guarded by the Vatican for exclusive use in the Sistine Chapel for more than two centuries.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2016

It will start with vocal music — the Mozart "Requiem" and Part's "Miserere."

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2015

Górecki – Miserere Am grateful to Beltway Bandit for posting the lyrics as my Latin ain't what it used to be, if you get my carpe diem Rodney.

From The Guardian • Jun. 3, 2010

But despite its hints at the shift from modes to keys, Miserere mei is still framed within the medieval Phrygian mode, often noted for its air of melancholy.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall