litany

American  

[lit-n-ee] / ˈlɪt n i /

noun

plural

litanies

1. a ceremonial or liturgical form of prayer consisting of a series of invocations or supplications with responses that are the same for a number in succession.

2. the Litany, the supplication in this form in the Book of Common Prayer.

3. a recitation or recital that resembles a litany.

4. a prolonged or tedious account.

   We heard the whole litany of their complaints.

   Synonyms:

   enumeration, catalog, list

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litany British  

/ ˈlɪtənɪ /

noun

1. Christianity

   1. a form of prayer consisting of a series of invocations, each followed by an unvarying response

   2. the general supplication in this form included in the Book of Common Prayer

2. any long or tedious speech or recital

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litany Cultural  

1. In many religions, a ritual repetition of prayers. Usually a clergyman or singer chants a prayer, and the congregation makes a response, such as “Lord, have mercy.”

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Etymology

Origin of litany

before 900; < Late Latin litanīa < Late Greek litaneía litany, Greek: an entreating, equivalent to litan- (stem of litaínein, variant of litaneúein to pray) + -eia -y ³; replacing Middle English letanie, Old English letanīa < Medieval Latin, Late Latin, as above

Example Sentences

"This is essentially a litany of offences related to how you conduct transfer business, so a transfer ban makes sense," Purslow said.

From BBC

Russell described his second place as "damage limitation" after a litany of problems through qualifying.

From BBC

The vote came amid a litany of calls for his ousting, ranging from celebrities to politicians, including the city's mayor Karen Bass.

From BBC

Since then, inspectors continued to find a litany of problems inside the jail, including mildew and lack of food.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s so many different sides to Jackie,” she said, ticking off a litany: “She’s fierce, she’s gentle, she’s demanding. She’s nurturing. She’s a mother. She’s a warrior.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• catalogue
• recitation
• repetition