Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Acathistus

noun
Ac·​a·​this·​tus | \ ˌakəˈthistəs\
variants: or Acathistos \ äˈkäthēˌstȯs \ or less commonly Akathist \ ˈakəˌthist \ or Akathistos \ äˈkäthēˌstȯs \
plural Acathisti\ ˌakəˈthiˌstī , -​(ˌ)stē \ or Acathistoi\ äˈkäthēˌstē \ also Akathists\ ˈakəˌthis(t)s \ or Akathistoi\ äˈkäthēˌstē \

Definition of Acathistus

: any of several Lenten hymns of the Eastern Orthodox Church sung with the people standing in honor of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or one of the saints

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!

First Known Use of Acathistus

circa 1721, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Acathistus

Middle Greek akathistos (hymnos), literally, standing hymn, from akathistos standing, from a- a- entry 2 + -kathistos (from Greek kathizein to seat, set, sit, from kata down + -izein -ize)

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Acathistus

Statistics for Acathistus

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for Acathistus

The first known use of Acathistus was circa 1721

See more words from the same year

Comments on Acathistus

What made you want to look up Acathistus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

gnomic

Listen to the pronounciation of gnomic

characterized by aphorism

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games