Adjacent Words

Tersanctus definitions

	Tweet

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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Tersanctus Ter*sanc"tus, n. [L. ter thrice + sanctus holy.] (Eccl.) An ancient ascription of praise (containing the word ``Holy'' -- in its Latin form, ``Sanctus'' -- thrice repeated), used in the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church and before the prayer of consecration in the communion service of the Church of England and the Protestant Episcopal Church. Cf. Trisagion.