uht-song Eccl. Now Hist.
(uːxt-)
[OE. {uacu}htsang, -song, f. {uacu}hte ughten. Cf. OHG. uhtisang, ON. and Icel. óttusǫngr (MSw. otto-, otta-, ottesang, Sw. ottesång).]
The ecclesiastical office celebrated just before daybreak; nocturns or matins.
| a 900 O.E. Martyrol. 23 June 102 From uhtsanges tide heo a wunode..on hire ᵹebede oð dæᵹ. c 900 tr. Bæda's Eccl. Hist. iv. xxv. 348 Hu neah þære tide wære, þætte þa broðor arisan scolden..& heora uhtsong singan. c 960 Rule St. Benet ix. (Schröer) 33 On wintres timan is se uhtsang þus to beᵹinnenne. a 1225 Ancr. R. 18 Þer efter anonriht vre Leafdi vhtsong siggeð oþisse wise. Ibid. 22 Biuoren Uht⁓song & efter Prime. |
| 1720 Johnson Canons Ch. Engl., Elfric's Can. xix, Let them sing..the Uht-song, the Prime-song, the Undern-song [etc.]. 1844 Lingard Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858) I. vii. 272 note, The night-song..was frequently joined with the uht⁓song. 1853 Rock Ch. of Fathers III. ii. 11 The ‘invitatory’ at the beginning of uht-song or matins. |