Canticle

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkæntɪkəl/

Definitions

1. A brief song or hymn that conveys worship or adoration, often appearing in sacred literature
2. A lyrical piece composed to honor or glorify divinity, commonly used in religious rituals
3. A sacred song or chant expressing devotion and praise often found in religious ceremonies

Etymology: "Canticle" is a diminutive: it comes from Latin "canticulum," a little "cantus," or song. The Latin base "cantus" gave English many musical words, from "chant" to "cantor," so the "-icle" ending simply marks something small. A canticle is therefore a little song, a short piece of sung text rather than a full hymn or psalm. The word's most striking feature is how narrowly it has been used. Its diminutive sense of "short song" was applied to religious texts, especially short scriptural passages from the Bible that are sung in worship. Its size is the point: where a psalm is a whole poem, a canticle is a brief excerpt set to music, which is why the term still refers to particular songs used in church services.

Synonyms: song, hymn