Nunc Dimittis

Nunc Dimittis
/nungk" di mit"is, noongk"/
1. (italics) the canticle beginning with the words of Simeon, in Luke 2:29-32, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace."
2. (l.c.) permission to leave; dismissal or departure.
[ < L]

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▪ biblical canticle
also called the  Song of Simeon 

      in the New Testament, a brief hymn of praise sung by the aged Simeon, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Simeon was at the Temple in Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph came to present the infant Jesus for the rite of purification according to Jewish law and custom. Simeon recognized the baby as the promised Saviour, took him in his arms, and raised his hymn of praise. Found in Luke 2:29–32, it is called the Nunc Dimittis for its first words in the Latin of the Vulgate Bible: Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum, in pace, “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised.” Because of its implications of fulfillment, peace, and rest, the early church viewed it as appropriate for the ending of the day. Since the 4th century it has been used in such evening worship services as Compline, Vespers, and Evensong.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Nunc Dimittis — • The Canticle of Simeon found in Luke 2:29 32 Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Nunc Dimittis     Nunc Dimittis     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Nunc Dimittis — Le Nunc dimittis appelé aussi Prière de Siyméon est une des prières que les chrétiens prononcent le plus fréquemment. Elle caractérise en particulier l office de complies, le dernier office avant de s endormir. Le nom de cette prière lui vient de …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Nunc dimittis — Nunc di*mit tis [L. nunc now + dimittis thou lettest depart.] (Eccl.) The {song of Simeon} ( Luke ii. 29 32), used in the ritual of many churches. It begins with these words in the Vulgate. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nunc Dimittis — [nooŋk′ di mit′is] n. [L, now thou lettest depart: first words of the L version] 1. the song of Simeon, used as a canticle in various liturgies: Luke 2:29 32 2. [n d ] a) departure or farewell, esp. from life b) permission to depart; dismissal …   English World dictionary

  • Nunc dimittis — For the short story by Roald Dahl, see Nunc Dimittis (short story). Simeon s Song of Praise by Aert de Gelder, around 1700–1710. The Nunc dimittis[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Nunc dimittis — Darbringung im Tempel (Meister der Pollinger Tafeln, 1444) Das Nunc dimittis (von lat. Nun entlässt du [Herr, deinen Knecht], den Anfangsworten, auch genannt Lobgesang des Simeon bzw. Canticum Simeonis) ist mit dem Magnificat und dem Benedictus… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Nunc dimittis — La presentación en el templo por Giovanni Bellini. El Nunc dimittis (también llamado El Cántico de Simeón) es un cántico del Evangelio de Lucas,[1] así llamado por sus primeras palabras en latín …   Wikipedia Español

  • Nunc dimittis — La Présentation au Temple de Giotto à la chapelle Scrovegni Le Nunc dimittis appelé aussi cantique de Syméon est une des prières que les chrétiens prononcent le plus fréquemment. Elle caractérise en particulier l office divin de complies, le… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Nunc Dimittis —    One of the three Gospel canticles for the major divine offices of the Roman Catholic liturgy, known as the Canticle of Simeon (St. Luke 2: 29–32;), sung at compline in the Roman rite and at Evening prayer in the Anglican rite. In the Gregorian …   Historical dictionary of sacred music

  • Nunc Dimittis —    The Latin title for the Song of Simeon, meaning Now lettest Thou (Thy servant) depart (in peace), which is sung after the Second Lesson at Evening Prayer in praise of the manifestation of the Incarnate Word. It is to be found in St. Luke 2:29… …   American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

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