benedictus means the Gospel canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79), with the incipit Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel (“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel”).
Why “benedictus” is a great word
A liturgical text or musical setting, specifically either the Gospel canticle of Zechariah beginning 'Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel' or the second part of the Sanctus beginning 'Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini'. From Ecclesiastical Latin benedictus ("blessed, praised"), from benedīcō ("to speak well of, to bless"), from bene ("well") + dīcō ("to say"). Unlike the Magnificat, which is Mary’s exultant song, or the Sanctus, the celestial cry of 'Holy, Holy, Holy', the Benedictus is the old priest’s sudden, recovered voice singing prophecy; the choral echo that follows the triple Sanctus, a wave of blessing breaking upon the altar; the fragile human response to a divine incantation—the sound of a promise kept, rising from silence.
Etymology
From Ecclesiastical Latin benedictus (“blessed, praised”), from benedīcō (“to speak well (of)”).
noun
- The Gospel canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79), with the incipit Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel (“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel”).
- The second part of the Sanctus, beginning, Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini (“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”), and historically often sung as a separate piece of music.
- The music that accompanies either of the above.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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