responsory

American  

[ri-spon-suh-ree] / rɪˈspɒn sə ri /

noun

Ecclesiastical.

plural

responsories

1. an anthem sung after a lection by a soloist and choir alternately.

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responsory British  

/ rɪˈspɒnsərɪ /

noun

1. Christianity an anthem or chant consisting of versicles and responses and recited or sung after a lesson in a church service

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Etymology

Origin of responsory

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin respōnsōrium, equivalent to Latin respond ( ēre ) to respond + -tōrium -tory ², with dt > s

Example Sentences

Dynamics were also crucial: When Jesus cried out on the cross in the “Tenebrae” responsory, “exclamavit” was startlingly loud; his death, “emisit spiritum,” was barely audible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

The ferial preces of Lauds are found in the Breviary, immediately after the second set of Psalms for ferial Lauds and after the short responsory in the psalm arrangements for the days of the week.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.

This responsory system of reading Holy Scripture is still retained in its old form in the case of the Ten Commandments when read in the Communion service.

From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by Miller, William James

It is said in the second responsory in offices of three lessons only.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.

But if the Office be not any of these mentioned just now, the responsory is followed by the Preces.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.