lauds, (used with a singular or plural verb) Ecclesiastical. a canonical hour, marked esp. by psalms of praise, usually recited with matins.
Origin: 1300–50; (v.) ME lauden < L laudāre to praise, deriv. of laus (s. laud-) praise; (n.) ME laude, back formation from laudes (pl.) < LL, special use of pl. of L laus praise
laud (lôd) tr.v.
laud·ed, laud·ing, lauds To give praise to; glorify. See Synonyms at praise. n.
Praise; glorification.
A hymn or song of praise.
lauds also Lauds(used with a sing. or pl. verb)
Ecclesiastical The service of prayers following the matins and constituting with them the first of the seven canonical hours.
The time appointed for this service.
[Middle English lauden, from Old French lauder, from Latin laudāre, from laus, laud-, praise.] laud'er n.
Laud (lôd) English prelate who as archbishop of Canterbury (1633-1645) supported Charles I and absolutism in church and state. His attempts to impose High Church doctrine on Protestants in Scotland and England led to his execution for treason by Parliament.