Antiphon Definition

ăntə-fŏn
noun
A devotional composition sung responsively as part of a liturgy.
American Heritage
A hymn, psalm, etc. chanted or sung in responsive, alternating parts.
Webster's New World
A short liturgical text chanted or sung responsively preceding or following a psalm, psalm verse, or canticle.
American Heritage
Anything composed for responsive chanting or singing.
Webster's New World
Such a text formerly used as a response but now rendered independently.
American Heritage
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Antiphon

Noun

Singular:
antiphon
Plural:
antiphons

Origin of Antiphon

  • From French antiphone or Medieval Latin antiphōna, from Ancient Greek ἀντίφωνα (antiphōna, “responses, musical accords”), neuter plural substantive of ἀντίφωνος (antiphōnos, “concordant”) from ἀντί (anti, “in return”) + φωνή (phonē, “sound”). Compare anthem.

    From Wiktionary

  • Late Latin antiphōna sung responses anthem

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Antiphon Sentence Examples

  • It speaks well for the patriotic devotion and discipline of her commons that Athens, weakened by plague and military disasters, should have withstood for so long the blows of her numerous enemies from without, and the damage inflicted by traitors within her walls (see Antiphon, Theramenes).

  • Lysias was the first to make this adaptation really artistic. His skill can be best appreciated if we turn from the easy flow of his graceful language to the majestic emphasis of Antiphon, or to the self-revealing art of Isaeus.

  • In it the Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Deus in Adjutorium, &c., are followed by five psalms and five antiphons, after which come the "little chapter," the hymn and the verse, which vary according to the season, the Magnificat and its antiphon, and the appropriate collect.

  • The austere dignity of Antiphon, the plain elegance of Lysias, the smooth and balanced finish of that middle or normal character which is represented by Isocrates, have come together in Demosthenes.

  • The text is from the Magnificat antiphon of second Vespers at the feast of Corpus Christi.

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Words Starting With

AANANT

Words Ending With

NONHON

Unscrambles

antiphon

Words Starting With A and Ending With N

Starts With A & Ends With NStarts With AN & Ends With NStarts With A & Ends With ON

Word Length

8 Letter Words8 Letter Words Starting With A8 Letter Words Ending With N