antiphon

[ an-tuh-fon ]
/ ˈæn təˌfɒn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR antiphon ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response.
Ecclesiastical.
  1. a psalm, hymn, or prayer sung in alternate parts.
  2. a verse or a series of verses sung as a prelude or conclusion to some part of the service.

Origin of antiphon

1490–1500; < Medieval Latin antiphōna responsive singing < Greek ( tà) antíphōna, neuter plural of antíphōnos sounding in answer, equivalent to anti- anti- + phōn(ḗ) sound + -os adj. suffix. Cf. anthem

Words nearby antiphon

antiperistaltic anastomosis, antipernicious anemia factor, antipersonnel, antiperspirant, antiphlogistic, antiphon, antiphonal, antiphonary, antiphony, antiphrasis, antiphus

Words related to antiphon

reaction, feedback, rejoinder, retort, response, acknowledgment, reply, return, repartee, quip, comeback, comment, remark, justification, interpretation, key, explanation, solution, sign, result

Example sentences from the Web for antiphon

British Dictionary definitions for antiphon

antiphon
/ (ˈæntɪfən) /

noun

a short passage, usually from the Bible, recited or sung as a response after certain parts of a liturgical service
a psalm, hymn, etc, chanted or sung in alternate parts
any response or answer

Word Origin for antiphon

C15: from Late Latin antiphōna sung responses, from Late Greek, plural of antiphōnon (something) responsive, from antiphōnos, from anti- + phōnē sound