Introit

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: Ä­ntrōʹĭt, IPA: /ɪnˈtɹəʊ.ɪt/,

Origin

From French introït, introïte, from Latin introitus ("entering”, “entrance"), from introeō ("I go within”, “I enter"), from intro- ("into") + eō ("I go").

“introit, n.” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary 2

nd

1989

Full definition of introit

Noun

1. The action of entering or going in; an entrance.
2. (figuratively, obsolete) An introduction.
3. (Roman Catholicism) A psalm sung or chanted immediately before the collect, epistle, and gospel, and while the priest is entering within the rails of the altar, which begins with this verse: «Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine».
4. (Roman Catholicism) A part of a psalm or other portion of Scripture read by the priest at Mass immediately after ascending to the altar.
5. An anthem or psalm sung before the Communion service.
6. Any composition of vocal music appropriate to the opening of church services.