Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A Christian canticle or hymn using the words of Simeon in Luke 2:29–32, beginning “Nunc dimittis servum tuum” (“Now lettest thou thy servant depart”).

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The canticle of Simeon (Luke ii. 29–32).

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • (Eccl.) The song of Simeon (Luke ii. 29-32), used in the ritual of many churches. It begins with these words in the Vulgate.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the prayer of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Late Latin Nunc Dīmittis : Latin nunc, now + Latin dīmittis, second person sing. present tense of dīmittere, to send away.]

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Examples

  • Mr. Burgon won an Ivor Novello award in 1979 for "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," which included a memorable version of the "Nunc Dimittis," and two years later for "Brideshead."

    Geoffrey Burgon, 'Brideshead' soundtrack composer, dies at 69 2010

  • The closing Nunc Dimittis theme entered the UK charts, and he won his first Ivor Novello award.

    Geoffrey Burgon obituary Terry Jones 2010

  • Nunc Dimittis is a fanciful tale of a famous portrait painter, who paints his subjects in the nude before adding their clothes, layer by layer.

    Storyteller Donald Sturrock 2010

  • As often with good things, this has come my way via Nico, whose own Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis don't seem to be available yet on his website but were broadcast as performed by Girton and Clare College choirs, Cambridge on the BBC Choral Evensong program in February.

    Some insanely good music Jenny Davidson 2005

  • As often with good things, this has come my way via Nico, whose own Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis don't seem to be available yet on his website but were broadcast as performed by Girton and Clare College choirs, Cambridge on the BBC Choral Evensong program in February.

    Archive 2005-04-01 Jenny Davidson 2005

  • The service will also include "Save Us, O Lord," by Thomas Matthews the late choirmaster and organist of Trinity, and settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Charles Villiers Stanford.

    BatesLine: March 2005 Archives 2005

  • The service will also include "Save Us, O Lord," by Thomas Matthews the late choirmaster and organist of Trinity, and settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Charles Villiers Stanford.

    Palm Sunday Choral Evensong - BatesLine 2005

  • At the first word of the Magnificat and of the Benedictus (but not of the Nunc Dimittis, save where custom has made it lawful) the Sign of the Cross is made.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 9: Laprade-Mass Liturgy 1840-1916 1913

  • One of these is the mode in which the Nunc Dimittis is sung during the ceremony of distributing the blessed candles on the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Aachen-Assize 1840-1916 1913

  • Domine, with the evangelical canticle Nunc Dimittis and its anthem, which is very characteristic.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 4: Clandestinity-Diocesan Chancery 1840-1916 1913

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