[ten-uh-brey] 
) Roman Catholic Church. | the office of matins and lauds for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week, sung respectively on the afternoon of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of that week, at which the Crucifixion is commemorated by the gradual extinguishment of candles. |
| Ten·e·brae (těn'ə-brā', -brē') pl.n. Roman Catholic Church (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The office of matins and lauds sung on the last three days of Holy Week, with a ceremony of candles. [Medieval Latin, from Latin tenebrae, darkness.] |