Dictionary entry

Canticle

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Can″ti‐cle (?), n.; pl.Canticles (#). [L. canticulum a little song, dim. of canticum song, fr. cantus a singing, fr. coner to sing. See Chant.] 1. A song; esp. a little song or hymn. Bacon.

2. pl. The Song of Songs or Song of Solomon, one of the books of the Old Testament.

3. A canto or division of a poem Spenser.

4. A psalm, hymn, or passage from the Bible, arranged for chanting in church service.