Kyrie

Origin

Contraction of the Ancient Greek phrase Κύριε ἐλέησον (Kurie eleēson, "Lord, have mercy"), from Ancient Greek Κύριε, vocative form of Κύριος (Kurios, "Lord"), from κῦρος (kuros, "supremacy, authority"), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱēw-, *ḱwā- ("to swell, spread out, be strong, prevail").

Full definition of kyrie

Noun

1. A short prayer or petition including the phrase kyrie, meaning "Lord, have mercy".
2. (music): A setting of the traditional kyrie text to music for a Mass.