Hymnodia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The practice or art of singing hymns in a religious or devotional context
2. Vocal performance of hymns, especially as part of worship or liturgical ceremony
3. The act of chanting or singing hymns as a form of religious expression or praise

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "hymnos" meant a song of praise, usually addressed to a god or hero, and "ōidē" meant song or chant, the same root that gives English "ode." Joined together, "hymnōidia" described the act of singing such praise songs, and the English word keeps that sense: the singing of hymns, rather than the hymns themselves. The second element is the more productive one. The "-ody" ending comes from "ōidē" too, which is why "melody" (song with music) and "rhapsody" (from "rhaptein," to stitch, plus "ōidē," so literally a stitched-together song) share it with this word. Because the compound is built from transparent Greek parts, its meaning is easy to reconstruct from its pieces.