Sanctus

noun

Sanc·​tus ˈsaŋ(k)-təs 

ˈsäŋ(k)-təs,

-ˌtüs 

: an ancient Christian hymn of adoration sung or said immediately before the prayer of consecration in traditional liturgies

Examples of Sanctus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jackson’s Requiem, for unaccompanied voices, follows Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem in interspersing non-liturgical poems among traditional words of the Latin requiem — although only the Introit, Sanctus and Benedictus and Lux aeterna. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Holy, holy, holy, opening of a hymn sung by the angels in Isaiah 6:3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Sanctus

• Sanctus bell