Dictionary

litanic en · ADJ

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek λῐτᾰνείᾱ (lĭtăneíā)der. Latin litaniader. Old French letanieder. Middle English English litany Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English litanic From litany + -ic.

Meanings

1. Of, relating to, or in the style of litany.
   • 1798, John Shepherd, A Critical and Practical Elucidation of the Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church of England, London: F. and C. Rivington and R. Faulder, 2nd edition, p. 321, This prayer […] is drawn up in the metaphorical, but expressive, language of Scripture; has been long employed in the conclusion of Litanic, and other forms of prayer, by the churches of the west; and retains strong marks of primitive devotion.
   • A low litanic lament was indulged in from time to time, by the musical voices of the choirs […] 1862, Charles Piazzi Smyth, chapter 17, in Three Cities in Russia, volume 1, London: Lovell Reeve, page 284:
   • “Unimum et unimorum,” he intoned in a nasal litanic tone. 1961, John Steinbeck, chapter 1, in The Winter of Our Discontent, Penguin, published 1996, page 11:
   • “Last one to bed turn out the lights,” Lydia would say, in her litanic fashion. 1989, John Irving, chapter 4, in A Prayer for Owen Meany, New York: William Morrow, page 173:
   • He leant down and wiped his friend’s face with a rag; a low litanic mumble came from Klimt’s dry lips […] 2007, Lewis Crofts, chapter 15, in The Pornographer of Vienna, London: Old Street, page 273:

Forms