Hymnaries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A collection or volume containing hymns that are intended for congregational singing in religious services
2. Books or compilations that feature a variety of sacred songs designed for worship or ceremonies
3. Collections of religious verses composed for music that are meant to be sung during worship gatherings

Etymology: The term in question traces its roots to "hymnary," a relatively modern English formation that emerged to denote a collection or book of hymns. Hymns themselves have a long history as religious songs or poems of praise, dating back to ancient times, but the need to compile them systematically into volumes became more pronounced with the rise of organized Christian worship practices in the medieval and early modern periods. The suffix "-ary," often used in English to form nouns indicating a place for something or a collection related to the root word, is key here. Attached to "hymn," it creates a word that specifically refers to a hymn book or a hymnal. This morphological construction parallels other terms like "library" (a collection of books) or "apiary" (a place where bees are kept). The plural "hymnaries" simply denotes multiple such collections. While "hymn" itself derives from the Greek "hymnos," meaning a song of praise or a religious ode, "hymnary" is a purely English innovation, likely dating from the 19th century when hymn books became widespread and standardized for congregational use. This period saw a proliferation of hymnals catering to different denominations, each with its own selection and arrangement of hymns, hence the need for a term to refer collectively to such volumes. The word did not undergo significant shifts in meaning; it has remained a straightforward term for hymn collections. However, its existence highlights the institutional importance of hymnody in Christian worship and the cultural emphasis on organized songbooks as tools for communal singing and doctrinal instruction.