Antiphon
/ˈæn.tɪ.fɒn/noun
A short liturgical chant or response sung alternately by two groups.
Did you know?Antiphons are ancient Christian liturgical chants built from the Greek idea of two voices answering each other, which is why the word still carries the feeling of ritualized sonic power.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀντίφωνον (antíphōnon)
“a responsive chant; something sounded in reply”
Late Latin
Latin
antiphona
“a liturgical response or chant”
Old French
Old French
antifone
“a church chant or response”
Middle English
English
antifon
“a responsive chant in church music”
Modern English
English
antiphon
“a short liturgical chant or response sung alternately by two groups”
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