[lit-n-ee] 
| 1. | a ceremonial or liturgical form of prayer consisting of a series of invocations or supplications with responses that are the same for a number in succession. |
| 2. | the Litany, the supplication in this form in the Book of Common Prayer. |
| 3. | a recitation or recital that resembles a litany. |
| 4. | a prolonged or tedious account: We heard the whole litany of their complaints. |
| lit·a·ny (lĭt'n-ē) n. pl. lit·a·nies
[Middle English letanie, from Old French, from Medieval Latin letanīa, from Late Latin litanīa, from Late Greek litaneia, from Greek, entreaty, from litaneuein, to entreat, from litanos, entreating, from litē, supplication.] |
In many religions, a ritual repetition of prayers. Usually a clergyman or singer chants a prayer, and the congregation makes a response, such as “Lord, have mercy.”