SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

magnificat

noun
Save Word
mag·​nif·​i·​cat | \ mag-ˈni-fi-ˌkat How to pronounce magnificat (audio) , -ˌkät How to pronounce magnificat (audio) , män-ˈyi-fi-ˌkät \

Definition of magnificat

1 capitalized
a : the canticle of the Virgin Mary in Luke 1:46–55
b : a musical setting for the Magnificat
2 : an utterance of praise

First Known Use of magnificat

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for magnificat

Middle English, from Latin, magnifies, from magnificare to magnify; from the first word of the canticle

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about magnificat

Time Traveler for magnificat

Time Traveler

The first known use of magnificat was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Statistics for magnificat

Cite this Entry

“Magnificat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnificat. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

More from Merriam-Webster on magnificat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about magnificat

Comments on magnificat

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

gazette

Listen to the pronunciation of gazette

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz

  • squirrel in winter
  • Which is a synonym of perdure?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

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