‖ ˈAgnus
[L. agnus a lamb.]
= Agnus Dei.
| 1494 Fabyan vii. 472 After the thirde agnus was sayd. 1674 Brevint Saul & Sam. 331 (T.) They will..carry most devoutly a scapulary, an agnus, or a set of beads about them. Ibid. 322 Scapularies, beads, ropes, agnusses. 1888 in E. S. Roscoe Bishop of Lincoln's Case (1889) 48 The words or hymn or prayer commonly known as the Agnus that is to say Oh Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World—Have mercy upon us. 1921 Outward Bound Apr. 72/1 It was a little Agnus of gold and enamel. 1936 E. Underhill Worship xiii. 285 The Agnus is now sung, and the Lord's Prayer is said. 1961 Proc. R. Mus. Assoc. LXXXVII. 51 Another..composer..survives in only two works,..and of those two Masses one lacks the Agnus. |
Comb. agnus-bell (in R.C. Ch.) the bell rung while the Agnus Dei is being said or sung in the Mass.
| 1566 in Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866) 103 One sanctus bell one agnus bell gone owtt of the fore sayd churche. |