Definition

1. Noun:

   • A bound collection of antiphons: A book containing the sung or chanted responses used in Christian liturgical services, particularly in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox traditions.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to or resembling an antiphon or antiphony: Pertaining to the musical or textual form of an antiphon, which is a short chant in Christian liturgy, often sung responsively.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The choir director consulted the antiphonary to find the proper chant for the feast day.
  • Medieval antiphonaries are valuable historical manuscripts of sacred music.

• Adjective:

  • The antiphonary chants were performed by alternating choirs.
  • This manuscript shows a clear antiphonary structure in its notation.

Advanced Usage

• In academic or liturgical contexts: The term is used precisely to refer to the specific liturgical book or the style of music it contains.
  • Scholars study the antiphonary to understand the evolution of Gregorian chant.

Variants and Related Words

• Antiphon (n): The short liturgical chant itself, to which the antiphonary is the collection.
• Antiphonal (adj): Often used synonymously with the adjective form of antiphonary, describing music performed by alternating groups.
• Antiphoner (n): A less common synonym for the noun form, meaning the same as an antiphonary.

Synonyms

• Gradual (n): Another type of liturgical chant book, but it specifically contains the musical items for the Mass, while an antiphonary typically contains the items for the Divine Office.
• Choirbook (n): A general term for a book containing music for a choir, which may include an antiphonary.

Related Phrases

• Antiphonal singing: The practice of singing where two groups alternate, which is the performance style for the music contained in an antiphonary.
  • The antiphonal singing created a beautiful echo effect in the cathedral.

Adjective

1. relating to or resembling an antiphon or antiphony

Noun

1. bound collection of antiphons