n. 1. Ecclesiastical A hymn or psalm sung when the officiant enters at the opening of a service. 2. Roman Catholic Church The beginning of the Mass, usually consisting of an antiphon, a psalm verse, and the Gloria Patri. [Middle English, introit of the Mass, from Old French introite, from Medieval Latin introitus, sung passage at entrance of celebrant, from Latin introitus, entrance, from past participle of introīre, to enter : intrō-, in; see en in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + īre, to go; see ei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.