Mass
English
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈmæs/
Audio (US) (file)
Etymology 1
From Middle English messe, from Old English mæsse and Old French messe, both from Late Latin missa, from Latin mittō (“to send, dismiss”), compare French 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 the words: "Ite, missa est", 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. Compare Christmas, Lammas, Mess a dish, missal. Doublet of missa.
Noun
Mass (countable and uncountable, plural Masses)
- (Roman Catholic Church) The principal liturgical service of the Church, including a scripture service and a eucharistic service, which includes the consecration and oblation (offering) of the host and wine.
- A similar ceremony offered by a number of Christian churches.
- (music) A musical composition set to portions of the Mass.
Derived terms
- High Mass, Mass with incense, music, the assistance of a deacon, subdeacon, etc. (obsolescent)
- Low Mass, Mass which is said by the priest throughout, without music. (obsolescent)
- Mass bell, the sanctus bell. See Sanctus.
- Mass book, the sacramentary or Roman Catholic service book.
Related terms
Translations
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Etymology 2
Shortening.
Faroese
Usage notes
Patronymics
- son of Mass: Massson
- daughter of Mass: Massdóttir
Declension
Singular | |
Indefinite | |
Nominative | Mass |
Accusative | Mass |
Dative | Massi |
Genitive | Mass |
German
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -as
Luxembourgish
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /mas/, [mɑs]
- Rhymes: -ɑs
Etymology 1
From Middle High German misse, from Old High German missa (variant of messa), from Latin missa. Cognate with English mass, German Messe, Danish messe, Dutch mis.
Derived terms
- Doudemass
- Fréimass
- Krankemass