pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) 1. Ecclesiastical a. The sixth of the seven canonical hours. b. A worship service held in the late afternoon or evening in many Western Christian churches. c. The time of day appointed for this service. 2. Evensong. 3. Roman Catholic Church A service held on Sundays or holy days that includes the office of vespers. [Obsolete French vespres, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vesperās, evening service, from Latin, accusative pl. of vespera, evening, variant of vesper; see VESPER.] |
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