The term breviary is not commonly known to many people, but it is a significant word in the religious world. It is a term that is commonly used in the Catholic Church, and it refers to a book that contains the daily prayers and readings that are recited by the clergy and religious orders. In this article, we will discuss the definition and meaning of breviary, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
A breviary is a book containing the daily prayers, psalms, and readings used in the liturgy of the hours. It is a book that is used by the clergy and religious orders in the Catholic Church to recite the daily prayers. The term breviary is derived from the Latin word brevis, which means brief. The breviary is a concise book that contains all the necessary prayers and readings for the day.
Origin
The breviary has its roots in the early Christian Church, where the monks used to recite the psalms and prayers throughout the day. Over time, the number of prayers and psalms increased, and it became difficult to remember them all. Therefore, the monks began to write them down in books, which became known as breviaries. The first breviary was compiled by St. Benedict in the sixth century, and it contained the psalms and prayers that were recited by the monks throughout the day.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a breviary is a book containing the prayers and psalms used in the liturgy of the hours. The Oxford dictionary defines breviary as a book containing the daily prayers, psalms, and readings used in the liturgy of the hours in the Roman Catholic Church.
Associations
The breviary is associated with the Catholic Church and is used by the clergy and religious orders to recite the daily prayers and psalms. It is a book that is considered essential for the spiritual nourishment of the clergy and religious orders.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of breviary include prayer book, liturgy of the hours, daily office, and divine office.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms of breviary as it is a specific term that refers to a book containing the daily prayers and psalms used in the liturgy of the hours.
The same root words
The root word of breviary is brevis, which means brief. Other words that have the same root word include brevity, briefcase, and abbreviation.
Example Sentences
- The priest carried his breviary with him everywhere he went.
- The nuns gathered in the chapel to recite the prayers from their breviary.
- The breviary contains all the necessary prayers and psalms for the liturgy of the hours.
- The monk spent hours copying the prayers and psalms into his breviary.
In conclusion, the breviary is a book that contains the daily prayers and psalms used in the liturgy of the hours. It is a significant book in the Catholic Church and is used by the clergy and religious orders to recite the daily prayers. The breviary has its roots in the early Christian Church and has evolved over time to become the concise book that it is today.