Tenebrae

American  

[ten-uh-brey] / ˈtɛn əˌbreɪ /

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.

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Tenebrae British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of Tenebrae

1645–55; < Latin: literally, darkness

Example Sentences

In a tribute on the website of the London-based choir Tenebrae, Nigel Short, the choir’s director, recalled the crucial support Mr. Bowman gave him early in his career.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2023

In 1982, Giallo master Dario Argento directed a slasher film called Tenebrae, or “darkness.”

From The Verge • Sep. 3, 2021

The Office of Tenebrae is a special Holy Week liturgy of light and shadow.

From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2016

Candles will slowly be extinguished during this hourlong Tenebrae service.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2015

Stupefying clouds of incense arose in the close chapel, and low, moaning, sighing tones proceeded from the organ; they were motives from the Miserere, and Tenebrae played with variations by the Italian.

From Klytia A Story of Heidelberg Castle by Hausrath, Adolf