magnificat

noun

mag·nif·i·cat mag-ˈni-fi-ˌkat

-ˌkät

män-ˈyi-fi-ˌkät

1

capitalized

a

: the canticle of the Virgin Mary in Luke 1:46–55

b

: a musical setting for the Magnificat

2

: an utterance of praise

Examples of magnificat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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According to Francisco, the composers represented no less than 30 print collections of solo songs, cantatas, motets, polyphonic works, settings for psalms and masses, a magnificat, a vespers service, a dozen sonatas, and scores for nine operas and other staged works. —

Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, magnifies, from magnificare to magnify; from the first word of the canticle

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of magnificat was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Magnificat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnificat. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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