Sanctus

noun

Sanc·tus ˈsaŋ(k)-təs

ˈsäŋ(k)-təs,

-ˌtüs

: an ancient Christian hymn of adoration sung or said immediately before the prayer of consecration in traditional liturgies

Examples of Sanctus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Jackson’s Requiem, for unaccompanied voices, follows Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem in interspersing non-liturgical poems among traditional words of the Latin requiem — although only the Introit, Sanctus and Benedictus and Lux aeterna. —

Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Holy, holy, holy, opening of a hymn sung by the angels in Isaiah 6:3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Sanctus was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sanctus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sanctus. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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