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 MacKenzie, Compton
"Lest the Confessor should indolently hesitate in tracing out the circumstances of any sin, let him have the following versicle of circumstances in readiness: "Quis, quid, ubi, quibus auxiliis, cur, quomodo, quando.
From The Priest, The Woman And The Confessional by Chiniquy, Father
He had only got the first versicle of the "Te Deum" off his chest, when his set of teeth fell out and landed on the bald head of my friend, giving him a nasty bite.
From Over Here Impressions of America by a British officer by MacQuarrie, Hector
Rossetti's versicle finds its point in life— "Was it a friend or foe that spread these lies?"
From Friendship by Black, Hugh
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)
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.
