litany

noun

lit·​a·​ny ˈli-tə-nē 

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

1

: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregation

the Litany of the Saints

2

a

: a resonant or repetitive chant

a litany of cheering phrases

—Herman Wouk

b

: a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration

a familiar litany of complaints

c

: a sizable series or set

a litany of problems

The drug has a litany of possible side effects.

Did you know?

A Short History of Litany

How do we love the word litany? Let us count the ways. We love its original 13th century meaning, still in use today, referring to a call-and-response prayer in which a series of lines are spoken alternately by a leader and a congregation. We love how litany has developed in the intervening centuries three figurative senses, and we love each of these as well: first, a sense meaning “repetitive chant”; next, the “lengthy recitation” sense owing to the repetitious—and sometimes interminable—nature of the original litany; and finally, an even broader sense referring to any sizeable series or set. Though litanies of this third sort tend to be unpleasant, we choose today to think of the loveliness found in the idea of “a litany of sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

Examples of litany in a Sentence

He has a litany of grievances against his former employer.

The team blamed its losses on a litany of injuries.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, Buzbee was on the legal team of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton – known for his own litany of lawsuits against the Biden administration – in his impeachment trial in the state Senate. —Andy Rose, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

The report suggests that demolitions have been accompanied by a litany of human rights violations, including killings. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

His longevity in the industry is unique for someone like Murray, who started out modeling before being cast in a litany of hunky heartthrob roles on the television shows and movies that have proven to be formative works in the millennial psyche. —Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024

Jamie finds her and feels the need to immediately buck her up by reeling off a litany of how she’s always had to be the strong one in their family. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letanie, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin litania, from Late Greek litaneia, from Greek, entreaty, from litanos supplicant

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

litany

noun

lit·​a·​ny ˈlit-ᵊn-ē 

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

: a prayer consisting of a series of lines spoken alternately by a leader and the congregation