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Webster 1913 Edition


Litany

Lit′a-ny

(lĭt′ȧ-ny̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Litanies
(lĭt′ȧ-nĭz)
.
[OE.
letanie
, OF.
letanie
, F.
litanie
, L.
litania
, Gr.
λιτανεία
, fr.
λιτανεύειν
to pray, akin to
λίτεσθαι
,
λίσσεσθαι
, to pray,
λιτή
prayer.]
A solemn form of supplication in the public worship of various churches, in which the clergy and congregation join, the former leading and the latter responding in alternate sentences. It is usually of a penitential character.
Supplications . . . for the appeasing of God’s wrath were of the Greek church termed
litanies
, and rogations of the Latin.
Hooker.

Webster 1828 Edition


Litany

LIT'ANY

,
Noun.
[Gr. supplication, to pray.]
A solemn form of supplication, used in public worship.
Supplications for the appeasing of God's wrath, were by the Greek church termed litanies, by the Latin, rogations.

Definition 2024


litany

litany

English

Noun

litany (plural litanies)

  1. A ritual liturgical prayer in which a series of prayers recited by a leader are alternated with responses from the congregation.
  2. A prolonged or tedious account.

Translations