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offertory

 - 3 dictionary results

of⋅fer⋅to⋅ry

  [aw-fer-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, of-er-]
Use offertory in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ries.
1. (sometimes initial capital letter) the offering of the unconsecrated elements that is made to God by the celebrant in a Eucharistic service.
2. Ecclesiastical.
a. the verses, anthem, or music said, sung, or played while the offerings of the people are received at a religious service.
b. that part of a service at which offerings are made.
c. the offerings themselves.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME offertorie < ML offertōrium place to which offerings are brought, offering, oblation, equiv. to L offer(re) (see offer ) + -tōrium -tory 2 ; cf. oblation

Related forms:
of⋅fer⋅to⋅ri⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To offertory
of·fer·to·ry   (ô'fər-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē, ŏf'ər-)   
n.   pl. of·fer·to·ries

  1. often Offertory

    1. One of the principal parts of the Eucharistic liturgy at which bread and wine are offered to God by the celebrant.

    2. A musical setting for this part of the liturgy.

  2. A collection of offerings at a religious service.


[Middle English offertori, from Late Latin offertōrium, from Latin offerre, to offer; see offer.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

offertory 
"the part of a Mass at which offerings are made," c.1386, from M.L. offertorium "place where offerings are brought," from V.L. offertus, corresponding to L. oblatus, pp. of offerre (see offer). Meaning "part of a religious service" is first recorded 1539; sense of "collection of money" is from 1862.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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