Sanctus

[sangk-tuhs]

noun

1. Also called Tersanctus. (italics),  the hymn beginning “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,” with which the Eucharistic preface culminates.

2. a musical setting for this hymn.

Sanctus

/ ˈsæŋktəs /

noun

1. liturgy the hymn that occurs immediately after the preface in the celebration of the Eucharist

2. a musical setting of this, usually incorporated into the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Mass

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sanctus¹

< Latin sānctus holy, hallowed (past participle of sancīre to hallow), the first word of the hymn

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sanctus¹

C14: from the first word of the hymn, Sanctus sanctus sanctus Holy, holy, holy, from Latin sancīre to consecrate