Asperges

[ uh-spur-jeez ]
/ əˈspɜr dʒiz /

noun Roman Catholic Church.

the rite of sprinkling the altar, clergy, and people with holy water before High Mass.

Origin of Asperges

< Latin: thou shalt sprinkle (2nd person singular future of aspergere). See a-5, sparge

Example sentences from the Web for asperges

  • Asperges me hyssopo et mundabor, lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.

    Olive in Italy |Moray Dalton

  • Much hyssop grows here, Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo et mundabor.

    Letters from the Holy Land |Elizabeth Butler

  • With a slow movement, he raised three times the asperges brush, and he purified him with a gentle rain.

    The Dream |Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for asperges

Asperges
/ (æˈspɜːdʒiːz) /

noun RC Church

a short rite preceding Mass, in which the celebrant sprinkles those present with holy water to the accompaniment of the chant Asperges me, Domine
the chant opening with these words

Word Origin for Asperges

C16: from Latin Asperges ( me hyssopo) Thou shalt purge (me with hyssop)