Adjacent Words

Mass bell definitions

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Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Mass Mass, n. [OE. masse, messe, AS. m[ae]sse. LL. missa, from L. mittere, missum, to send, dismiss: cf. F. messe. In the ancient churches, the public services at which the catechumens were permitted to be present were called missa catechumenorum, ending with the reading of the Gospel. Then they were dismissed with these words : ``Ite, missa est'' [sc. ecclesia], the congregation is dismissed. After that the sacrifice proper began. At its close the same words were said to those who remained. So the word gave the name of Mass to the sacrifice in the Catholic Church. See Missile, and cf. Christmas, Lammas, Mess a dish, Missal.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The sacrifice in the sacrament of the Eucharist, or the consecration and oblation of the host. 2. (Mus.) The portions of the Mass usually set to music, considered as a musical composition; -- namely, the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, besides sometimes an Offertory and the Benedictus. Canon of the Mass. See Canon. High Mass, Mass with incense, music, the assistance of a deacon, subdeacon, etc. Low Mass, Mass which is said by the priest through-out, without music. Mass bell, the sanctus bell. See Sanctus. Mass book, the missal or Roman Catholic service book.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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.