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offertory

[ aw-fer-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, of-er- ]
/ ˈɔ fərˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈɒf ər- /
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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.
  1. the verses, anthem, or music said, sung, or played while the offerings of the people are received at a religious service.
  2. that part of a service at which offerings are made.
  3. the offerings themselves.
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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

OTHER WORDS FROM offertory

of·fer·to·ri·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use offertory in a sentence

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
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