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⏳ Ages or centuries 👶 A lifetime
saecula

saecula

9.9
A long period of time in church writing that means many centuries
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛk.jʊ.lə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : siglos
  • Scholars study how the concept of saecula shaped early Christian theology.

Examples

  • The phrase 'in saecula saeculorum' is often found in ancient hymns.

  • The concept of saecula is important in understanding religious history.

  • The church bell has rung for many saecula, marking centuries of tradition.

  • The church has existed for many saecula.

  • "In saecula saeculorum," came the choral response during the mass.

  • The congregation repeated the phrase "in saecula saeculorum" to signify everlasting praise.

  • During the ceremony, the priest invoked blessings that would endure "in saecula saeculorum."

Synonyms

saeculum
vssaecula
  • Archaic
9.9

A long period of time like a century or a generation

is used mainly in religious or liturgical contexts rather than Roman tradition

Surface Forms

saecula singular
saeculae plural

Etymology

Saecula is a Latin word meaning 'ages' or 'centuries' and is the plural of saeculum, which means 'age' or 'generation'. A helpful memory is to notice the same root in the English word secular and in the church phrase 'in saecula saeculorum', used in hymns to mean 'for ages', so saecula often points to very long, often religious, time.