antiphon

[ an-tuh-fon ]

noun

1. a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response.
2. Ecclesiastical.
   1. a psalm, hymn, or prayer sung in alternate parts.
   2. a verse or a series of verses sung as a prelude or conclusion to some part of the service.

antiphon

/ ˈæntɪfən /

noun

1. a short passage, usually from the Bible, recited or sung as a response after certain parts of a liturgical service
2. a psalm, hymn, etc, chanted or sung in alternate parts
3. any response or answer

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiphon¹

1490–1500; < Medieval Latin antiphōna responsive singing < Greek ( tà ) antíphōna, neuter plural of antíphōnos sounding in answer, equivalent to anti- anti- + phōn ( ḗ ) sound + -os adj. suffix. anthem

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiphon¹

C15: from Late Latin antiphōna sung responses, from Late Greek, plural of antiphōnon (something) responsive, from antiphōnos, from anti- + phōnē sound

Example Sentences

Between the two versions of “Spiritus sanctus vivificans vita,” an antiphon by Hildegard von Bingen, for example, or between that antiphon’s simplicity and the angular density of George Enescu’s “Fantaisie concertante.”

From New York Times

“If you strip it down and go back to what the form should be,” Mr. Skinner said, “it’s about the size of a large-scale votive antiphon, the staple compositional endeavor of most composers.”

From New York Times

As Scott Metcalfe, the ensemble’s director, said in remarks from the stage, that single antiphon constitutes the complete works of Chamberlayne.

From New York Times

“Mass” begins with an intentionally grating Antiphon: “Kyrie eleison,” with solo voices singing the Latin words entwined with percussion instruments; the complexity increases over two fidgety minutes, with prerecorded elements played through speakers placed around the hall.

From New York Times

In “O Antiphon Preludes,” Muhly comments, sometimes with enthralled sweetness and sometimes with exuberance, on the seven “O” Christmas antiphons of Advent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comment
• explanation
• feedback
• interpretation
• justification
• key
• observation
• rebuttal
• remark
• report
• resolution
• response
• result
• return
• sign
• solution
• statement