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Glite Dictionary
Nunc dimittis

Nunc dimittis

9.9
A short church song from the Bible that people sing at evening prayer to show thanks and peace
  • noun
  • /nʌŋk dɪˈmɪtɪs/
  • Formal
translation icon : Nunc dimittis
  • At evening prayer, the choir sang the Nunc dimittis with great solemnity.

Examples

  • Many composers have set the Nunc dimittis to music over the centuries.

  • The words of the Nunc dimittis express gratitude and peaceful acceptance.

  • The Nunc dimittis is beautiful.

  • Don't forget the Nunc dimittis!

  • At evening prayer, the choir sang the Nunc dimittis with great solemnity.

  • Many composers have set the Nunc dimittis to music throughout the history of the Church.

  • The words of the Nunc dimittis convey a sense of gratitude and peaceful acceptance.

Synonyms

canticle
vsNunc dimittis
  • Formal
1 9.5

A hymn or song of praise from the Bible used in Christian worship

is the specific prayer named by its Latin opening rather than the general hymn
Canticle of Simeon
vsNunc dimittis
  • Literature
9.9

A prayer by Simeon in the Bible expressing thanks and peace

is the same prayer but identified by its Latin opening words
cantus
vsNunc dimittis
9.6

A song or chant sung by a group, often during a ceremony

is a liturgical prayer identified by its Latin opening rather than a general chant

Surface Forms

Nunc dimittis singular
Nunc dimittis plural

Morphology

Nunc + dimittis

The phrase is a Latin liturgical title whose constituent words are not English dictionary items for a typical B1 learner, so knowing English words would not allow derivation of the meaning. Understanding it requires knowledge of Latin or Christian liturgical tradition (that it is the Song of Simeon), making the expression non-compositional and unpredictable for learners.

Etymology

Nunc dimittis is a short church song named from the Latin words nunc ('now') and dimittis ('you dismiss'). In the Bible, the old man Simeon holds the baby Jesus and says he can now be 'dismissed' — 'to die in peace', so the song is sung at the end of prayer to give thanks and a peaceful farewell.