Definition

Noun: 1. A hymn or song of praise with a text taken from the Bible: A canticle is a short, lyrical hymn, typically one whose words are derived directly from a biblical text (other than the Psalms) and used in Christian liturgy.

Usage

• A canticle is a specific type of religious song used in worship.
• It is distinct from a general hymn, as its lyrics are scripture itself.
• It is commonly chanted or sung during church services, such as Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer.

Examples

• The choir sang the Canticle of Zechariah, also known as the , during the morning service.
• "The Song of Mary," or the , is one of the most famous canticles in the Christian tradition.
• The liturgy included several biblical canticles from the Book of Isaiah.

Advanced Usage

• Proper Noun - "The Canticle of the Sun": Also known as , this is a famous religious song composed by Saint Francis of Assisi. While inspired by scripture (particularly Psalm 148), it is an original composition and represents an extended poetic use of the term.
• In a literary context: The term can be used metaphorically to describe any song or poem of praise that has a solemn or sacred tone.
  • The poet's work was a canticle to the beauty of the natural world.

Variants and Related Words

• Canticles (plural noun): Often used as a shorthand title for the (also called the ) in the Bible, which is a series of lyrical love poems.
• Cantical (adj.): An archaic adjective meaning relating to or of the nature of a song. (Rarely used in modern English).

Synonyms

• Hymn
• Psalm (specifically, a sacred song from the Book of Psalms)
• Chant
• Song of praise

Antonyms

• Dirge
• Lament
• Secular song

Related Idioms or Phrases

• (To sing) a canticle of praise: This phrase emphasizes the act of offering high, lyrical praise, often to God.
  • The congregation raised their voices in a canticle of praise.

Noun

1. a hymn derived from the Bible