introit

[ in-troh-it, -troit ]

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. a part of a psalm with antiphon recited by the celebrant of the Mass at the foot of the altar and, at High Mass, sung by the choir when the priest begins the Mass.
2. Anglican Church, Lutheran Church. a psalm or anthem sung as the celebrant of the Holy Communion enters the sanctuary.
3. a choral response sung at the beginning of a religious service.

introit

/ ˈɪntrɔɪt /

noun

1. RC Church Church of England a short prayer said or sung as the celebrant is entering the sanctuary to celebrate Mass or Holy Communion

Derived Forms

• inˈtroital, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of introit¹

1475–85; < Medieval Latin introitus ( misse or ad missam ), Latin: entrance, beginning, equivalent to intro-, combining form of intrō intro- + -i-, variant stem of īre to go + -tus suffix of v. action

Word History and Origins

Origin of introit¹

C15: from Church Latin introitus introit, from Latin: entrance, from introīre to go in, from intro- + īre to go

Example Sentences

The whole is like some marvellous introit for St. Mark's day, in which the name of Mary has passed by.

From Project Gutenberg

To our modern ears the Introit is new; but it is in reality an old thing, in this and some other instances revived.

From Project Gutenberg

This, from being sung or said whilst the minister made his entrance within the rails, was called introitus or introit.

From Project Gutenberg

The organist was practicing the Introit anthem, and half way up the church a woman was sitting quietly.

From Project Gutenberg

Before the introit the crucifix, the altar23, the celebrant and the Pope are successively incensed.

From Project Gutenberg