Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Catholic prayer: A specific prayer recited by Roman Catholics three times daily (morning, noon, and evening) in commemoration of the Incarnation of Christ, announced to Mary by the Angel Gabriel (the Annunciation).
   • A bell signal: The sound of a bell rung in Roman Catholic churches to announce the times for reciting this prayer.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The family paused for the Angelus at noon.
  • We could hear the Angelus ringing from the village church.

Advanced Usage

• "To say/recite the Angelus": To pray the Angelus prayer.
  • The monks gather to recite the Angelus in the chapel.
• "The Angelus bell": Refers specifically to the bell rung for the prayer.
  • The sound of the Angelus bell marked the end of the workday in the old village.

Variants and Related Words

• Angelus Domini: The Latin title of the prayer, meaning "The Angel of the Lord".
  • The prayer begins with the words "Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae..."

Synonyms

• Devotion: A general term for prayers or religious observances.
• Prayer: A solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God.

Related Phrases

• "The hour of the Angelus": Refers to one of the three traditional times for the prayer.
  • He made it a habit to walk at the hour of the Angelus.

Noun

1. a prayer said 3 times a day by Roman Catholics in memory of the Annunciation
2. the sound of a bell rung in Roman Catholic churches to announce the time when the Angelus should be recited