antiphon
|an-ti-phon|
/ˈæn.tɪ.fən/
alternate/response singing
Etymology
'antiphon' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antiphōna,' where 'anti-' meant 'against, in return' and 'phōnē' meant 'voice'.
'antiphōna' passed into Late Latin as 'antiphona' and from there into Middle English as 'antiphon'.
Initially, it meant 'a sound in return' or 'a sounding back'; over time it came to mean specifically 'a liturgical chant sung alternately (an antiphonal response)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a short chant in Christian liturgy, sung responsively (often before or after a psalm or canticle).
The choir sang the antiphon before the psalm.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a musical or vocal response in alternation between two groups (call-and-response style).
The service included several antiphons between the choir and congregation.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to sing or perform an antiphon; to alternate singing responsively.
They antiphoned the hymn throughout the ceremony.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/06 21:26