From Middle English letanie, from Old French letanie and ecclesiastical Latin litania, ultimately from Greek litaneia, meaning prayer or entreaty.
From Middle English letanie, from Old French letanie and ecclesiastical Latin litania, ultimately from Greek litaneia, meaning prayer or entreaty.
What is a litany in church?
A litany is a formal prayer made of repeated petitions, usually led by one person while the congregation gives fixed responses.
What does litany of complaints mean?
A litany of complaints is a long, repetitive series of complaints that feels tiring or excessive.
Can litany refer to poetry?
Yes. In literature, a litany can be a chant-like poem or passage built from repeated phrases or invocations.
Is litany a verb?
No. Litany is a noun, so use forms such as recite a litany, lead a litany, or a litany of complaints.
What is the plural of litany?
The regular plural is litanies.
Where does litany come from?
Litany comes through Old French and Latin from Greek litaneia, meaning prayer or entreaty.
Is litany always negative?
No. The prayer sense is neutral, but the figurative phrase a litany of often suggests a tedious list of problems or complaints.