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.
Alleluia. scarcely could they who chanted the versicle challenge with their eyes those who hung down their heads when they gave the response.
From The Altar Steps by Compton MacKenzie
Her very being is poetry; every psalm, every petition, every collect, every versicle, the cross, the mitre, the thurible, is a fulfillment of some dream of childhood, or aspiration of youth.
From Cardinal Newman as a Musician by Edward Bellasis
And at the end of what seemed to be a versicle of his chant he called Bluebeard.
From Stories of Comedy by Rossiter Johnson
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
The Absolution is said immediately after the Pater Noster which follows the versicle and response under the third, sixth or ninth psalm.
From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley
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