versicle
Americannoun
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a little verse.
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Ecclesiastical. a short verse, usually from the Psalms, said or sung by the officiant, after which the congregation recites a response.
noun
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a short verse
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a short sentence recited or sung by the minister at a liturgical ceremony and responded to by the choir or congregation
Etymology
Origin of versicle
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word versiculus. See verse, -i-, -cle 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Brother Mark," said Brother Augustine, on the morning of Palm Sunday, "did you notice that ghastly split infinitive in the last versicle at Compline?
From The Altar Steps by MacKenzie, Compton
The clergyman said the versicle, "O Lord, save the King," and the clerk made no reply.
From The Parish Clerk by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)
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 Quigley, Edward J.
“To-morrow shall be done away the iniquity of the earth,” is the versicle after the Office Hymn.
From Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan by Miles, Clement A.
To strangers they will be merely the immature efforts of nameless young folks; but for me a halo of memories glorifies each halting versicle.
From When Life Was Young At the Old Farm in Maine by Stephens, C. A. (Charles Asbury)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
