Sanctus \Sanc"tus\, n. [L. sanctus, p. p. of sancire.] 1. (Eccl.) A part of the Mass, or, in Protestant churches, a part of the communion service, of which the first words in Latin are Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus [Holy, holy, holy]; -- called also Tersanctus. 2. (Mus.) An anthem composed for these words. Sanctus bell, a small bell usually suspended in a bell cot at the apex of the nave roof, over the chancel arch, in medi[ae]val churches, but a hand bell is now often used; -- so called because rung at the singing of the sanctus, at the conclusion of the ordinary of the Mass, and again at the elevation of the host. Called also Mass bell, sacring bell, saints' bell, sance-bell, sancte bell}.

Saint Martin's summer, a season of mild, damp weather frequently prevailing during late autumn in England and the Mediterranean countries; -- so called from St. Martin's Festival, occurring on November 11. It corresponds to the Indian summer in America. --Shak. --Whittier. Saint Patrick's cross. See Illust. 4, under Cross. Saint Patrick's Day, the 17th of March, anniversary of the death (about 466) of St. Patrick, the apostle and patron saint of Ireland. Saint Peter's fish. (Zo["o]l.) See John Dory, under John. Saint Peter's-wort (Bot.), a name of several plants, as Hypericum Ascyron, H. quadrangulum, Ascyrum stans, etc. Saint Peter's wreath (Bot.), a shrubby kind of Spir[ae]a ({S. hypericifolia}), having long slender branches covered with clusters of small white blossoms in spring. Saint's bell. See Sanctus bell, under Sanctus. Saint Vitus's dance (Med.), chorea; -- so called from the supposed cures wrought on intercession to this saint.

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