Definition

1. Noun:
   • A canticle or prayer: Specifically, the prayer spoken by Simeon in the Gospel of Luke (2:29-32) upon seeing the infant Jesus, expressing a readiness for death now that he has witnessed the Messiah.
   • A musical setting: A musical composition, often for choir, based on the text of this prayer, traditionally used in Christian liturgy, especially at Compline (the night prayer service).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The choir sang a beautiful Nunc Dimittis at the evening service.
  • In his sermon, the priest explained the profound hope contained within the Nunc Dimittis.

Advanced Usage

• "to sing one's nunc dimittis": This idiom means to express one's readiness to depart, retire, or die, often after achieving a long-awaited goal or witnessing a desired event. It derives directly from the prayer's theme.
  • After seeing his invention finally succeed, he felt he could sing his nunc dimittis.

Variants and Related Words

• Canticle (n): A hymn or chant, typically with a biblical text, used in church services. The Nunc Dimittis is one of the principal canticles.
• Compline (n): The final church service of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours, where the Nunc Dimittis is traditionally sung.

Synonyms

• Simeon's Song: Another name for the Nunc Dimittis, referencing the speaker.
• Canticle of Simeon: A descriptive synonym.

Related Phrases

(This word is a proper noun for a specific text and is not commonly used with phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• To sing/one's Nunc Dimittis: As detailed in 'Advanced Usage', this idiom uses the term figuratively to signify a declaration of fulfillment and readiness to depart.
  • Having finally published her life's work, the author was ready to sing her Nunc Dimittis.

Noun

1. the prayer of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)