Magnificat

[ mag-nif-i-kat, -kaht; mahg-nif-i-kaht, mahn-yif- ]

noun

1. (italics) the hymn of the Virgin Mary in Luke, 1:46–55, beginning “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” used as a canticle at evensong or vespers.
2. a musical setting for this.

Magnificat

/ mæɡˈnɪfɪˌkæt /

noun

1. Christianity the hymn of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46-55), used as a canticle

Word History and Origins

Origin of Magnificat¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Latin: (it) magnifies (from the first word of the hymn)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Magnificat¹

from the opening phrase in the Latin version, Magnificat anima mea Dominum (my soul doth magnify the Lord)

Example Sentences

This so-called “Madonna of the Magnificat” was painted in Florence around 1485 by Sandro Botticelli and his team.

From The Daily Beast

I hope Wilson—that's our second thurifer—won't go wrong in the Magnificat.

From Project Gutenberg

The splendours of the Magnificat died away to a silence and one of the clergy stepped from his place to read the Second Lesson.

From Project Gutenberg

How wearily and with what sadness Madonna writes Magnificat, or dreams of the love that even now is come into her arms!

From Project Gutenberg

I have a special, undiluted dislike of one picture,—the Magnificat.

From Project Gutenberg

I sent the poor Magnificat to the Royal Academy in the spring of 1871.

From Project Gutenberg