[bree-vee-er-ee, brev-ee-] 
| 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. |
| bre·vi·ar·y (brē'vē-ěr'ē, brěv'ē-) n. pl. bre·vi·ar·ies Ecclesiastical A book containing the hymns, offices, and prayers for the canonical hours. [Middle English breviarie, from Old French breviaire, from Medieval Latin breviārium, from Latin, summary, from brevis, short; see brief.] |
breviary
liturgical book in the Roman Catholic Church that contains the daily service for the divine office, the official prayer of the church consisting of psalms, readings, and hymns that are recited at stated hours of the day. The breviary (Latin breviarium, "abridgment") as a condensed tome appeared only after the divine office itself was fixed and widely used and after the recitation of the office had come to be regarded as obligatory for individuals not residing in a community
Learn more about breviary with a free trial on Britannica.com.
viˌɛr