evensong

[ ee-vuhn-sawng, -song ]

noun

1. (usually initial capital letter) Also called evening prayer. Anglican Church. a form of worship said or sung in the evening.
2. Roman Catholic Church. vesper ( def 3c ).

evensong

/ ˈiːvənˌsɒŋ /

noun

1. Also calledEvening Prayervespers Church of England the daily evening service of Bible readings and prayers prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer
2. archaic.
   another name for vespers
3. an archaic or poetic word for evening

Word History and Origins

Origin of evensong¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English ǣfensang. See even ², song

Example Sentences

About eight hours after their morning rehearsal, 18 of the choir’s child members and 13 adult choral scholars walked into the college’s grand chapel, to sing that day’s traditional evensong service.

From New York Times

Gordon Foster, who attends evensong at the church, added: "I started the survey but gave it up because I do not think the name should change. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

From BBC

Or evensong – that once widespread middle-Britain churchgoing habit wiped out by TV?

From The Guardian

It appears to be a combination of music – especially evensong – fine art, architecture and coffee.

From The Guardian

A memorial evensong will begin at 17:30 BST while a special prayer service will finish at the time the attack ended.

From BBC

Related Words

• chant
• ditty
• oratorio
• paean
• psalm