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

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 Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)

The antiphon, versicle and prayer of the commemoration at an hour should never be repetitions of others said in the same hour.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.

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 Bellasis, Edward

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 MacKenzie, Compton

Elements of a commemoration are the Antiphon of the Benedictus or the Magnificat with versicle and response.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.