versicle

[ vur-si-kuhl ]

noun

1. a little verse.
2. Ecclesiastical. a short verse, usually from the Psalms, said or sung by the officiant, after which the congregation recites a response. Compare response ( def 3a ).

versicle

/ ˈvɜːsɪkəl /

noun

1. a short verse
2. a short sentence recited or sung by the minister at a liturgical ceremony and responded to by the choir or congregation

Word History and Origins

Origin of versicle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word versiculus. See verse, -i-, -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of versicle¹

C14: from Latin versiculus a little line, from versus verse

Example Sentences

Compline is a simple service, including a confession of sins, one or more psalms, a short reading from scripture, versicles and responses, the Lord’s Prayer, and the canticle Nunc Dimittis.

From Washington Post

Although lessons drawn from the saint’s vita are inserted between the matins responsories, minor prayers and versicles are omitted, as are all but the first couple of verses of psalms and canticles.

From Washington Post

These versicles are said to be extracts from a letter.

From Project Gutenberg

Intōn′ing, a modern popular term for the utterance in musical recitative of the versicles, responses, collects, &c. of the Anglican liturgy.

From Project Gutenberg

It will, perhaps, be considered hypercritical to object to the versicles: "Give peace in our time, O Lord, because there is none other that fighteth for us but only thou, O God."

From Project Gutenberg