responsory
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
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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 manner of reciting this responsory is sometimes not correctly understood, owing, perhaps, to its printed form in some Breviaries.
From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.
In this responsory the versicle Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris is sometimes changed, e.g., in paschal time it is, Qui surrexisti a mortuis.
From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.
One of the principal changes made in revising the Prayer-book in 1549 was the setting forth of longer Lessons with responsory canticles sung at the end only.
From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by Miller, William James
The Benedictus has been used as a responsory canticle to the Gospel Lessons from very ancient times as the daily memorial of the Incarnation.
From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by Miller, William James
At the heart of the Good Friday and Holy Saturday sections were four responsories from Carlo Gesualdo’s 1611 collection for Holy Week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025
Named for one of his earliest pieces, the album offers a version of the “Dorian” Short Service, hymns and responsories: beauty everywhere, and a few startling harmonic turns.
From New York Times ● Sep. 9, 2015
The piece takes its title, brooding atmosphere and most important thematic source from Gesualdo, using material from one of his responsories for Maundy Thursday.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 10, 2013
This English a cappella choir will also sing a handful of Victoria motets and responsories.
From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2011
The responsories are similar in form to the antiphons, but come at the end of the psalm, being originally the reply of the choir or congregation to the precentor who recited the psalm.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various
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