litany

Meanings

1. A ritual liturgical prayer in which a series of prayers recited by a leader are alternated with responses from the congregation.
2. A prolonged or tedious list.

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek λῐτή (lĭtḗ) Ancient Greek -ᾰνός (-ănós) Ancient Greek λῐτᾰνός (lĭtănós) Ancient Greek -εύς (-eús) Ancient Greek -εύω (-eúō) Ancient Greek λῐτᾰνεύω (lĭtăneúō) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ία (-ía) Ancient Greek -είᾱ (-eíā) Ancient Greek λῐτᾰνείᾱ (lĭtăneíā)der. Latin litaniader. Old French letanieder. Middle English English litany From Middle English, from Old French letanie, from Latin litania, from Ancient Greek λιτανεία (litaneía, “prayer”), from λιτή (litḗ, “prayer, entreaty”).