kontakion

noun

kon·​ta·​kion
variants or contakion
kənˈtäkyȯn
plural kontakia or contakia
-yä
1
: a poetic sermon with numerous stanzas that was in common use in the Byzantine rite between the 6th and 8th centuries a.d.
2
: a usually short hymn in the Eastern Orthodox Church

Word History

Etymology

Middle Greek kontakion, literally, scroll, probably diminutive of Late Greek kontak-, kontax pole, from Greek kontos

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near kontakion

Cite this Entry

“Kontakion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kontakion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!