Litany Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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litany
litany
Definitions
religious context
A litany is a form of prayer used in Christian worship, consisting of a series of invocations or supplications followed by responses. It often includes a repetitive element, involving the congregation responding to a leader's prompts with specific phrases, such as 'Lord, have mercy.' This practice is used to enhance communal worship and express collective needs or praises.
Synonyms
invocation, prayer, supplication.
Examples of usage
- The congregation recited the litany during the morning service.
- A beautiful litany of praise was sung by the choir.
- He led the litany for peace at the community gathering.
figurative context
In a broader sense, a litany can refer to any repetitive series of items, especially in a context of complaints or grievances. It suggests a long, tiresome list of issues or problems that someone may repeatedly mention.
Synonyms
catalog, list, repetition.
Examples of usage
- Her litany of complaints was exhausting to hear.
- The report included a litany of challenges faced by the organization.
- He presented a litany of reasons why the project failed.
Translations
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Quick facts about “litany”
Litany is a 1-syllable noun. It is pronounced /ˈɫɪtəni/ in American English and /lˈɪtəni/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #22,233 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'litany'
The word 'litany' originates from the Middle English term 'litanye', derived from Old French 'litanaie', which in turn comes from the Latin 'litanea'. The Latin term 'litanea' is believed to have roots in the Greek word 'litaneia', meaning 'supplication'. This etymological journey reflects the word's connection to prayer and supplication in religious contexts. Historically, litanies have been a part of Christian worship since the early church, serving as a means for communities to express their faith collectively. The use of litanies may also be seen in various cultures and religions, with the concept of repetitive prayers or chants manifesting in diverse spiritual practices across the world.