offertory

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

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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.

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 formsof·fer·to·ri·al, adjective

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

Related Words for offertory

premium, offering, grant, bonus, relief, tip, benefit, award, souvenir, subsidy, favor, donation, legacy, contribution, reward, endowment, tribute, present, allowance, giveaway

Examples from the Web for offertory

Historical Examples of offertory

When, after the offertory, Pierre uncovered the chalice he felt contempt for himself.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
The Offertory having been recited, the priest uncovered the chalice.
Abbe Mouret's Transgression
Emile Zola
It would be like putting bad money into the offertory to put me into that holy work.
The Christian
Hall Caine
But when the Offertory was reached, matters suddenly quickened.
The Historical Nights' Entertainment
Rafael Sabatini
He sang an Offertory solo, accompanying himself on the harmonium.
My New Curate
P.A. Sheehan

British Dictionary definitions for offertory

offertory

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

Word Origin and History for offertory

"the part of a Mass at which offerings are made," late 14c., from Medieval Latin offertorium "place where offerings are brought," from Vulgar Latin offertus, corresponding to Latin oblatus, past participle of offerre (see offer (v.)). Meaning "part of a religious service" is first recorded 1530s; sense of "collection of money" is from 1862.