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lection

lection

9.9
A different reading of a word or passage found in old handwritten books
  • noun
  • /ˈlɛkʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lectura
  • The lection read during the service illustrated key themes from the scripture.

Examples

  • A contains at least two systems of lection marks, but these occur only in the first half of the text, and so are not especially useful for modern editorial purposes.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Second, it contains several sets of lection marks, indicating that this copy was intended to be read in a liturgical context and was, in fact, used in that way.

    Academic text (2018)
  • In textual criticism, a specific lection can reveal differences between ancient manuscripts.

  • Scholars compare each lection to understand how texts have evolved over time.

Synonyms

recension
vslection
  • Literature
9.9

A version of a text that comes from editing or copying, often of an old book

is a narrower variant at the word or passage level in manuscripts

Surface Forms

lection singular
lections plural

Etymology

The word lection comes from the Latin root leg/lect meaning 'to read' or 'to choose', the same root in select. A lection was originally a 'chosen reading' in an old text, which is why it now means one particular version or reading of a text.