‖ sanctus
(ˈsæŋktəs)
Also (senses 2 and 3) 6 saunts, saunce, saunt(us, 6–7 sant, 7 santus, santo, santez, 6 (9 arch.) santis.
[L. sanctus ‘Holy’, the first word of the hymn: see saint a.]
1. The ‘angelic hymn’ (from Isa. vi. 3) beginning with the words ‘Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus’ (‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts’) which forms the conclusion of the Eucharistic preface; also called tersanctus (thrice holy). Also, the music to which the words are sung.
| c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 169 Ioly chauntynge þat..lettiþ men fro þe sentence of holy writt, as Magnyficat, sanctus & agnus dei. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 119 Therfore accordynge to the aungels, ye synge quyer to quyer, one Sanctus on the tone syde, and another on the tother syde. 1528 Roy Rede Me (Arb.) 36 Fare wele O holy consecration With blyssed sanctus and agnus dei. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 129 Quhair day and nycht we sall not ceas Ay singand Sanctus sweit. 1895 Benham in W. Andrews Cur. Ch. Cust. 265 We always sang the Canticles, and the metrical Psalms..and a few Sanctuses. |
† 2. transf. An outcry. Also, something repeated with wearisome iteration. Obs.
| 1594 2nd Rep. Dr. Faustus xxii. I 2, The people on both sides exceedingly amazed and affrighted, especiallye the Turkes who sent out such a dolefull Sauntus that it would haue moued the stones to ruth. a 1670 Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 626 For all this they are at their old santez, What do we? |
† 3. black sanctus, a kind of burlesque hymn; a discord of harsh sounds expressive of contempt or dislike (formerly used as a kind of serenade to a faithless wife); ‘rough music’. Also, to sing the black sanctus: to lament. Obs.
| 1578 Lupton All for Money B iij, I will make him sing the blacke sanctus, I holde him a grote. 1578 Bk. Chr. Prayers 37 But euery man singes his own song, as in a black sanctus. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) 1 Cor. xiv. 23 note, Singing Psalmes.., one in this language, and another in that, all at once like a blacke saunts, and one often not vnderstood of another. 1591 Lyly Endym. iv. ii. 33 It [the sonnet] is sette to the tune of the blacke Saunce, ratio est, because Dipsas is a black Saint. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 128 A great number had rather heare a iarring blacke-sant, then one of their balde Sermons. 1598 Marston Sco. Villanie ii. vii. 85 The language that they speake Is the pure barbarous blacksaunt of the Geate. 1600 Holland Livy v. xxxvii. 204 An hideous and dissonant kind of singing (like a blacke Santus). a 1619 Fletcher Mad Lover iv. i, Lets sing him a blacke Santis. 1632 Heywood 2nd Part Iron Age ii. i. D 2 b, Many a blacke-saint..Haue I sung at his window. 1635 Quarles Embl. i. x. 41 Sometimes their Stigian cries Send their Black-Santos to the blushing Skies. 1861 All Year Round V. 14 The surly sinners sing A horrible black santis, so to cheer The work in hand. |