incipit

[ in-si-pit; Latin ing-ki-pit ]

/ ˈɪn sɪ pɪt; Latin ˈɪŋ kɪ pɪt /

the introductory words or opening phrases in the text of a medieval manuscript or an early printed book.

Music. the first words of a chanted liturgical text, as that of a Gregorian chant or certain medieval motets.

Origin of incipit

1895–1900; < Latin: (here) begins, 3rd singular present indicative of incipere

Begins: Incipit prohemium de proprietatibus rerum fratris bartholomei anglici de ordine fratrum minorum.

Herbals, Their Origin and Evolution |Agnes Arber
The title runs thus: Incipit liber qui vocatur Speculum Xpristiani.

Notes and Queries, Number 139, June 26, 1852 |Various
They are arranged in the alphabetical order of their incipit—that is, the words with which they begin.

Introduction to the Study of History |Charles V. Langlois
The second contains forty-one chapters: Incipit accessus ad tractatum de corpore Christi.

The Grey Friars in Oxford |Andrew G. Little

Incipit libellus de ludo Scaccorum, et de dictis factisque nobilium virorum, philosophorum et antiquorum.

Game and Playe of the Chesse |Caxton

incipit

/ Latin (ˈɪnkɪpɪt) /

here begins: used as an introductory word at the beginning of some medieval manuscripts