offertory

[ aw-fer-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, of-er- ]

/ ˈɔ fərˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈɒf ər- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR offertory ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural of·fer·to·ries.

(sometimes initial capital letter) the offering of the unconsecrated elements that is made to God by the celebrant in a Eucharistic service.

Ecclesiastical.

the verses, anthem, or music said, sung, or played while the offerings of the people are received at a religious service.
that part of a service at which offerings are made.
the offerings themselves.

Nearby words

offer, offer document, offer price, offering, offering price, offertory, offhand, offiah, office, office automation, office bearer

Origin of offertory

1350–1400; Middle English offertorie < Medieval Latin offertōrium place to which offerings are brought, offering, oblation, equivalent to Latin offer(re) (see offer) + -tōrium -tory²; cf. oblation

Related forms

of·fer·to·ri·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for offertory

The offertory is a more direct appeal, but it only yielded in the year 184l.
The Church Index|William Pepperell
Even the check that you put in the plate when you take the offertory up the aisle on Sunday morning?
The Unknown Quantity|Henry van Dyke
But when the Offertory was reached, matters suddenly quickened.
The Historical Nights' Entertainment|Rafael Sabatini
Near this domestic quarter was found a small shrine of the Double Axes, with cult objects and offertory vessels in their places.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6|Various

One of the most pleasing parts of the service is the taking up of the offertory.
The Quiver 12/1899|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for offertory

offertory

/ (ˈɒfətərɪ) /

noun plural -tories

the oblation of the bread and wine at the Eucharist

the offerings of the worshippers at this service

the prayers said or sung while the worshippers' offerings are being received

Word Origin for offertory

C14: from Church Latin offertōrium place appointed for offerings, from Latin offerre to offer

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