Related Searches

incipit

[in-si-pit; Lat. ing-ki-pit] Origin

in·ci·pit

[in-si-pit; Lat. ing-ki-pit]
noun
1.
the introductory words or opening phrases in the text of a medieval manuscript or an early printed book.
2.
Music. the first words of a chanted liturgical text, as that of a Gregorian chant or certain medieval motets.

Origin:
1895–1900; < Latin: (here) begins, 3rd singular present indicative of incipere
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To incipit

00:10

00:09

00:08

00:07

00:06

00:05

00:04

00:03

00:02

00:01

Incipit is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Collins
World English Dictionary
incipit (ˈɪnkɪpɪt)
 
here begins: used as an introductory word at the beginning of some medieval manuscripts

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

incipit
opening word of a Latin book or manuscript, from L., lit. "(here) begins," third person sing. pres. indic. of incipere (see incipient).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

incipit

the opening word or words of a medieval Western manuscript or early printed book. In the absence of a title page, the text may be recognized, referred to, and recorded by its incipit. As in the title pages or main divisions of later printed books, incipits provide an occasion for display letters and a fanfare of calligraphic ornament.

Learn more about incipit with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT