versicle

American  

[vur-si-kuhl] / ˈvɜr sɪ kəl /

noun

1. a little verse.

2. Ecclesiastical. a short verse, usually from the Psalms, said or sung by the officiant, after which the congregation recites a response.

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versicle British  

/ ˈvɜːsɪkəl /

noun

1. a short verse

2. a short sentence recited or sung by the minister at a liturgical ceremony and responded to by the choir or congregation

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Etymology

Origin of versicle

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word versiculus. See verse, -i-, -cle ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

versicle

The wall sings like an anthology,—a Gothic anthology where "Bele Aliz matin leva" is versicle, and "In un boschetto trovai pastorella" antiphon.

From Earthwork out of Tuscany Being Impressions and Translations of Maurice Hewlett by Maurice Henry Hewlett

The Office of Lauds now consists of four Psalms and a canticle, followed by a little chapter, a hymn, versicle, antiphon, of Benedictus, the canticle, Benedictus and prayer.

From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley

The versicle Exsurge and the response Et libera are then said.

From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley

I had hardly finished the first versicle when I struck the water, and I was indeed crying unto the Lord out of the depths, for I cannot swim, and my end was clearly at hand.'

From Stradella by F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford

At Prime the versicle of the little response is Qui natus est.

From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley