nocturn

American  

[nok-turn] / ˈnɒk tɜrn /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. the office of matins, consisting of nine psalms and either three or nine lessons.

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nocturn British  

/ ˈnɒktɜːn /

noun

1. RC Church any of the main sections of the office of matins

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Etymology

Origin of nocturn

before 1150; Middle English nocturne < Medieval Latin nocturna, noun use of feminine of Latin nocturnus by night; replacing Old English noctern < Medieval Latin, as above

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nocturn

The elders did not observe the nocturn that night until prime on the morrow.

From The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran Translations Of Christian Literature. Series V. Lives Of The Celtic Saints by R.A. Stewart MacAlister

The most popular and gracious form of Provencal poetry was the nocturn, sung by the lover at night at the door or under the window of his mistress.

From Aesthetic Poetry by Walter Pater

Some think that the first nocturn was said about 9 p.m.

From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley

The contessa's reception began at the first nocturn, between sunset and midnight.

From The Saracen: Land of the Infidel by Robert Shea

At Matins, the nine psalms and three lessons are said as one nocturn.

From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley

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