Tenebrae

[ten-uh-brey]

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. the office of matins and lauds for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week, sung respectively on the afternoon of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of that week, at which the Crucifixion is commemorated by the gradual extinguishment of candles.

Tenebrae

/ ˈtɛnəˌbreɪ /

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) RC Church (formerly) the matins and lauds for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week, usually sung in the evenings or at night

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tenebrae¹

1645–55; < Latin: literally, darkness

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tenebrae¹

C17: from Latin: darkness