mattins

Definition

1. Noun (plural in form but used with singular or plural verb):
   • A morning prayer service in some Christian traditions: "mattins" refers to a liturgical service of morning prayer, especially in the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches. It is often associated with the canonical hour of the day.
   • Alternative spelling: Also written as "matins."

Usage Examples

• (The religious community attended the early morning prayer service.)
• (She performed the morning devotional prayers.)

Advanced Usage

• "Said mattins": to perform the morning prayer service in a spoken (rather than sung) manner.

  • The priest said mattins privately before the congregation arrived. (The service was recited without music.)

• "Choral mattins": a sung version of the service, often involving a choir.

  • The cathedral choir led choral mattins on Christmas morning. (The service was performed with musical accompaniment.)

Variants and Related Words

• Matins (n): the more common spelling variant of "mattins."

  • The church schedule includes matins at 7 AM. (The morning prayer service is held early.)

• Matutinal (adj): relating to or occurring in the morning.

  • The matutinal light filtered through the stained glass. (The morning light entered the church.)

Synonyms

• Morning prayer: a general term for devotional practices at the start of the day.
• Lauds: a specific morning prayer service in some Christian traditions, often combined with mattins.

Related Idioms

• "To rise with the mattins": an idiomatic expression meaning to wake up very early, especially for religious observance.
  • He rises with the mattins every day, even when not attending church. (He gets up at dawn habitually.)