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Glite Dictionary
versicle

versicle

1 9.9
A short line said or sung by a religious leader in worship, followed by the people's reply
  • noun
  • /ˈvɜrsɪkəl/
  • Jargon
: versículo
  • During the morning prayer, the minister recited a versicle from the Psalms.

Examples

  • At each versicle, the congregation responded in unison.

  • The priest read a versicle during the service.

  • The choir sang the versicle while the congregation joined in the response.

  • Can you sing the versicle with us?

  • During the service, the priest led the congregation, who responded after each versicle.

  • As the choir sang a versicle, the audience joined in with the familiar response.

  • The minister recited a short versicle, prompting a heartfelt reply from the faithful.

Surface Forms

versicle singular
versicles plural

Morphology

versicle = verse (transparent) = verse + icle

Meaning corresponds directly to a small or short 'verse', so speakers who know 'verse' can infer the noun's sense.

Etymology

Versicle comes from the Latin versiculus, which means 'little verse'. It shares its root with verse, so a versicle is literally a short verse or line often said or sung by a leader in worship and followed by the people's response.