Middle English Dictionary Entry
Cantica n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Cantica n. |
| Etymology | L cantica (pl. of canticum); also cp. OE cantic, a borrowing of the same Latin word. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) as title: The Song of Songs, the Song of Solomon (Canticum Canticorum); (b) pl. eccl. sacred songs from the Scriptures, freq. used in the Divine Office, canticles.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8472 : Þe thride boke efter þa tua, Þe quilk man clepes cantica, A noteful bok in haly writte; Þe boke o luue man cals it.
b
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)59/15 : Hi læsse sinȝað on þare wucan þonne þone saltere eallne mid ȝewunelican cantica [L cum canticis consuetudinariis].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Sense (b) added in supplement.--per MLL