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offertory definition

of·fer·tory (ôf′ər tôr′ē)

noun pl. offertories -·ries

    1. the part of a Eucharistic service in which the bread and wine, before being consecrated, are offered to God
    2. the prayers said then
    3. a hymn or musical composition used then
    1. the part of a church service during which money offerings are collected from the congregation
    2. the collection itself

Etymology: ME offertorie < ML(Ec) offertorium < LL(Ec), place for offerings < offerre, to offer

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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