Definition

Noun 1. A Christian church service held in the late afternoon or early evening: Specifically, it refers to the sixth of the traditional seven canonical hours of the Divine Office, a cycle of daily prayers in Christian liturgy. It is a service of evening prayer. 2. The time of day for this service; early evening: The word can also refer to the time of day when this service is traditionally held.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Service):
  • The choir sings at vespers every Sunday at 5 PM.
  • Attending vespers is a peaceful way to end the day.
• Noun (Time):
  • The bell tolled for vespers, signaling the approach of evening.

Advanced Usage

• Capitalization: The word is often capitalized ("Vespers") when referring specifically to the formal liturgical service.
  • The program for Easter Week includes Morning Prayer and Vespers.
• Historical/Liturgical Context: In many Christian traditions, particularly Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox, Vespers is a fixed part of the daily prayer cycle.
  • The monk's day is structured around the canonical hours, including Vespers.

Variants and Related Words

• Evensong: (noun) An Anglican form of evening service, similar to Vespers.
  • The college chapel is famous for its Evensong service.
• Compline: (noun) The final canonical hour of the day, prayed after Vespers, typically at bedtime.

Synonyms

• Evening prayer: A general term for a service of worship held in the evening.
• Evensong: (Specifically Anglican) A service of evening prayers, psalms, and canticles.

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of "vespers" is intrinsically linked to Christian worship. While it can poetically refer to early evening, its primary and most common use is for the named church service. It is not used for secular evening events or gatherings.

Noun

1. the sixth of the seven canonical hours of the divine office; early evening; now often made a public service on Sundays