doxology

noun

dox·​ol·​o·​gy däk-ˈsä-lə-jē 

plural doxologies

: a usually liturgical expression of praise to God

Did you know?

Doxology passed into English from Medieval Latin doxologia, which in turn comes from the Greek term doxa, meaning "opinion" or "glory," and the suffix -logia, which refers to oral or written expression. It's logical enough, therefore, that "doxology" has referred to an oral expression of praise and glorification since it first appeared in English around 1645. The word ultimately derives from the Greek verb dokein, meaning "to seem" or "to seem good." Two cousins of "doxology" via "dokein" are "dogma" and "paradox." More distant relatives include "decent" and "synecdoche." The Gloria in Excelsis and the Gloria Patri are two of the best-known and most often sung doxologies in contemporary Christianity.

Examples of doxology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For that reason, church parishes in both North and South America are encouraged to celebrate March 25 with a short service — called a doxology. —Kathy Stephenson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Mar. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin doxologia, from Late Greek, from Greek doxa opinion, glory (from dokein to seem, seem good) + -logia -logy — more at decent

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

doxology

noun

dox·​ol·​o·​gy däk-ˈsäl-ə-jē 

plural doxologies

: an expression of praise to God