offertory
offertory Lexical Profile
offertory Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The part of a Christian Eucharistic service during which the unconsecrated bread and wine are solemnly presented at the altar, often accompanied by the collection of alms from the congregation.
"The congregation stood as the bread and wine were brought forward during the offertory."
The money, gifts, or alms collected from the congregation during a religious service.
"The ushers passed the woven baskets down the pews to gather the Sunday offertory."
An anthem, chant, hymn, or instrumental organ piece sung or played during the presentation of offerings in a church service.
"The parish choir rehearsed a polyphonic motet to sing as the offertory for Easter morning."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin offertorium ('a place to which offerings are brought' or 'an offering'), derived from Late Latin offertor ('one who offers'), ultimately from Classical Latin offerre ('to present, bestow').