novena

[ noh-vee-nuh, nuh- ]

/ noʊˈvi nə, nə- /

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noun, plural no·ve·nae

[noh-vee-nee, nuh-], /noʊˈvi ni, nə-/, no·ve·nas.Roman Catholic Church.

a devotion consisting of nine separate days of prayers or services.

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Origin of novena

1850–55; <Medieval Latin novēna, noun use of feminine singular of Latin novēnus nine each

Words nearby novena

Novello, Novels, novelty, November, novemdecillion, novena, novercal, Novgorod, Novi, novia, novice

How to use novena in a sentence

The novena commenced on Sunday evening, the 8th of November.
Catholic World, Vol. XIII, April to September, 1871|Various
This gift was followed by a request that a novena be made to the saint, Father Vianney promising to pray also.
The Life of Blessed John B. Marie Vianney, Cur of Ars|Anonymous
At the conclusion of the novena he was able to speak without further trouble.
The Life of Blessed John B. Marie Vianney, Cur of Ars|Anonymous
On this first day of the novena we shall consider the faith of this holy man.
The Life of Blessed John B. Marie Vianney, Cur of Ars|Anonymous

As her husband was willing that she should pray the novena, Clara began the next day her fervent devotions to the Virgin Mary.
Filipino Popular Tales|Dean S. Fansler

British Dictionary definitions for novena

novena

/ (nəʊˈviːnə) /

noun plural -nas or -nae (-niː)

RC Church a devotion consisting of prayers or services on nine consecutive days

Word Origin for novena

C19: from Medieval Latin, from Latin novem nine

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