breviary

[ bree-vee-er-ee, brev-ee- ]

noun

, plural bre·vi·ar·ies.

1. Roman Catholic Church. a book containing all the daily psalms, hymns, prayers, lessons, etc., necessary for reciting the office.
2. a book of daily prayers and readings in some other churches.

breviary

/ ˈbriːvjərɪ /

noun

1. RC Church a book of psalms, hymns, prayers, etc, to be recited daily by clerics in major orders and certain members of religious orders as part of the divine office
2. a similar book in the Orthodox Church

Word History and Origins

Origin of breviary¹

First recorded in 1540–50, breviary is from the Latin word breviārium an abridgment. See brevi-, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of breviary¹

C16: from Latin breviārium an abridged version, from breviāre to shorten, from brevis short

Example Sentences

A young priest was standing there overlooking the operations of some workmen, and muttering his breviary.

From Project Gutenberg

He knelt down as he said this, and with trembling lips and tearful eyes recited some verses from his breviary.

From Project Gutenberg

He sat with knitted brows at the foot of a bush, and nervously turned the pages of his breviary.

From Project Gutenberg

A Roman Breviary lay open on a velvet-covered table before the crucifix.

From Project Gutenberg

After he had thoroughly broken his fast, he went to church; and they carried for him, in a great basket, a huge breviary.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• recap
• rundown