Sanctus

noun

Sanc·​tus ˈsaŋ(k)-təs How to pronounce Sanctus (audio)
ˈsäŋ(k)-təs,
-ˌtüs How to pronounce Sanctus (audio)
: an ancient Christian hymn of adoration sung or said immediately before the prayer of consecration in traditional liturgies

Examples of Sanctus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Jackson’s Requiem, for unaccompanied voices, follows Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem in interspersing non-liturgical poems among traditional words of the Latin requiem — although only the Introit, Sanctus and Benedictus and Lux aeterna. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Sanctus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Holy, holy, holy, opening of a hymn sung by the angels in Isaiah 6:3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Sanctus was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near Sanctus

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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