Main Entry:

an·ti·phon

Pronunciation:

\ˈan-tə-fən, -ˌfän\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English antiphone, from Middle French, from Late Latin antiphona — more at anthem

Date:

15th century

1 : a psalm, anthem, or verse sung responsively 2 : a verse usually from Scripture said or sung before and after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the liturgy