LexiTopic: Belief Systems
The LexiConnexxions analysis has identified 261 words that are used in 549 different ways related to Belief Systems in the A-O portion of Spelling Bee lexicon, which comprises 74% of the entire lexicon.
The list is given below, followed by the topical analysis, with definitions.
Words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Spelling Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
Words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Spelling Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
Words Related to BELIEF SYSTEMS in the Spelling Bee lexicon: Word List
ABBACYABBATIAL*ABBEYABBOTABOVEACOLYTEAGAPEALTARAMENANATHEMAANGELANGELICANKHANOINTANOINTINGANTHEMARHATATTRITIONAUXILIARYAVATARAYATOLLAHBAMBINO*BANDBAPTIZEBEADBELIEFBELIEVEBELIEVINGBELOWBENEFICEBETHEL*BIBLICALBIBLICALLYBINDIBLAZEBULLCABALACALLCANONCANONICCANONICALCANONICALLYCANONIZATIONCANOPY
CANTCANTINGCANTORCARNALCARNIVALCATHOLICCELIBACYCELIBATECELLCHAKRACHALICECHALLAHCHANCELCHANTCHOIRCHUPPAHCHURCHCHURCHYCHURCHYARDCIRCUITCLAYCLEANCLOTHCOIFCOLLARCOLLECTCOLLEGECOMITYCOMMONCOMMUNIONCONCLAVECONFIRMCONFOUNDCONFOUNDEDCONVENTCOPECOPEDCOVENCROOKCRYPTCULTCULTICCULTICCURACY
DAMNDAMNATIONDAMNINGDEACONDEANDEATHDEBTDECADEDEDICATEDEDICATEDDEICIDEDEIFIEDDEIFYDEIFYINGDEITYDEMONDEVILDEVOTIONDHARMADIABOLICDIABOLICALDIVINEDIVINELYDOCTORDOMINATIONDOMINIONDOOMDRUIDEDIFIEDEDIFYEDIFYINGELECTELEMENTEMBODIEDEMINENCEENLIGHTENENLIGHTENINGEPIPHANYEXCELLENCEEXCELLENCYFAITHFALLFALLENFALLING
FALLSFATWAFELLFIENDFLOCKFOLDFONTFONTALFORMULAFOULFOULLYFRIARFRIARYFROCKFRONTALGELTGLORIFYGLORYGODCHILDGODHOOD*GODLYGRADUALGUARDIANGURUHABITHADITH* HALALHALOHARAMHATHAHEATHENHEAVENHEAVENLYHELLHIGHHOLILY*HOLYHORNHOURHYMNHYMNALHYMNARYHYMNBOOKICON
IDEAIDOLIMAMINDEXINFALLIBLEINFIDELINNOCENCEINNOCENTINTELLIGENCEINTENTIONINTROIT* JUDICIALKABBALAHKARMAKARMICKIPPAKOANLAICLAICALLAICALLY*LAICIZELAITYLAMALAMPLAUDLAUDEDLAYMANLAYMENLAYPEOPLELAYWOMANLIFELIGHTLIMBOLITANYLITURGYLIVELIVEDLIVINGLOFTLORDLOVEMAGEMAGIMANDALA
MANNAMANTRAMARTYRMARTYRDOMMATZOMEDALMEDITATEMEDITATEDMEDITATIVEMEETINGMILLENNIAMILLENNIALMINYAN*MITRALMOHELMONKMORTIFYMULLAHNATIONNATURALNAVENEOPHYTENIRVANANOELNONBELIEFNONENOTIONNOVICENUNCIONUNHOODOBEDIENCEOBLATEOCTAVEOFFENDOFFENDEDOFFENDINGOFFICEORATORYORDAINORDINARYORDINARYORGY
Words Related to BELIEF SYSTEMS in the Spelling Bee lexicon: Topical Arrangement
Subject Headings
Beliefs and Nonbeliefs faith, not opinionDoctrine, Dogma, RulesEcclesiastical Buildings and ArchitectureGods, Demons, and AngelsOrganizations and Congregations
Persons, Roles, and Offices
Religions: Any ReligionReligions: BuddhismReligions: Christian ScientistReligions: Christianity all sects
Religions: Hinduism
Religions: IslamReligions: JudaismReligions: NonbeliefReligions: Others
Rituals, Rites, Prayer, and WorshipSymbols, Objects, and DressWords and Music
Beliefs and Nonbeliefs
ANGEL: Christian Science: inspiration from GodATTRITION: sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of GodBELIEF: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing; something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion: something believed; conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidenceBELIEVE: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factBELIEVING: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factCABALA: M-W: less common spelling of kabbalah: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy …CANT: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love)CANTING: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love); also, (adj.) affectedly pious or righteousCARNAL: temporal (spiritual and eternal over the carnal); worldly (a carnal mind)CHAKRA: any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophyDEVOTION: religious fervor: pietyEDIFIED: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; to uplift; also: to enlighten, informEDIFY: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; to uplift; also: to enlighten, informEDIFYING: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; to uplift; also: to enlighten, informENLIGHTEN: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTEN: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTENING: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTENING: to give spiritual insight toFAITH: belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proofHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personHOLILY* : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessHOLY: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessIDEA: Christian Science: an image in MindINFIDEL: an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion; one who acknowledges no religious belief; not holding the faith of a given religion (the infidel nations); opposing or traitorous to a given religion (an infidel sect)INNOCENCE: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil: blamelessnessINNOCENT: free from guilt or sin especially through lack of knowledge of evil: blameless; a person free from sin: a young childKABBALAH: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy … The SB Lexicon also includes cabala, per M-W a ess common spelling of kabbalahKARMA: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKARMIC: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeLAMP: a source of intellectual or spiritual illuminationLIFE: spiritual existence transcending physical death (life after death)LIGHT: spiritual illumination; also, inner light: a divine presence held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the soul; also, enlightenment: in Buddhism: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or sufferingLOVE: a person's adoration of God; also, the fatherly concern of God for humankindMARTYR: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion; also, to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or professionMARTYRDOM: the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faithNATURAL: occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature: not marvelous or supernatural natural causes (died a natural death); of, relating to, or operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual world (Natural laws describe phenomena of the physical universe.); being in a state of nature without spiritual enlightenment: unregenerate (natural man)NEOPHYTE: a proselyte, a new convert (as to a faith or cause)NONBELIEF: absence or lack of belief, especially: absence or lack of religious beliefNOTION: a theory or belief held by a person or group (the notion of original sin)
Doctrine, Dogma, and Rules
ABOVE: heaven; also, in or to heavenBELOW: on earth, or in or to hades or hell; alsoBLAZE: blazes plural: hell (go to blazes)CANON: a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council; or a provision of canon lawCANONIC: canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONICAL: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONICALLY: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONIZATION: to make canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONIZATION: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority; to attribute authoritative sanction or approval toCHURCHY: marked by strict conformity or zealous adherence to the forms or beliefs of a churchCLAY: the human body as distinguished from the spiritCLEAN: ceremonially or spiritually pure (and all who are clean may eat flesh —Leviticus 7:19)COMITY: avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious denominationDEATH: Christian Science: the lie of life in matter: that which is unreal and untrueDEBT: sin, trespass (forgive us our debts.)DEVIL: In Christian Science: the opposite of Truth: a belief in sin, sickness, and death: evil, errorDHARMA: in Hinduism, an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law; or in Hinduism and Buddhism, the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence, divine law; or conformity to one's duty and natureDOOM: Judgment; the final judging of humankind by God; such as Judgement Day: the day of God's judgment of humankind at the end of the world according to various theologiesELECT: (adj.) chosen for salvation through divine mercy; also, (noun) one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor) (the elect)FALL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLEN: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLING: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLS: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFATWA: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leaderFELL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFOUL: morally or spiritually odiousFOULLY: morally or spiritually odiousHALAL: sanctioned by Islamic law, especially: ritually fit for useHARAM: forbidden by Islamic lawHEAVEN: a spiritual state of everlasting communion with God; also (often capitalized): the dwelling place of the Deity and the blessed dead; also, in Christian Science: a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind is manifestHEAVENLY: suggesting the blessed state of heaven: beatificHELL: in Christian Science: error, that is, illusion about the nature of reality that is the cause of human suffering: the contradiction of truthHIGH: stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony, specifically: high churchINDEX: a list of restricted or prohibited material; specifically, Index: a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authoritiesINFALLIBLE: incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or moralsINTELLIGENCE: Christian Science: the basic eternal quality of divine MindKOAN: a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining sudden intuitive enlightenmentLIMBO: often capitalized: an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptismLIVE: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVED: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVING: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)MANNA: divinely supplied spiritual nourishmentMILLENNIA: plural of millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthMILLENNIAL: of or relating to a millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthNIRVANA: the final beatitude (state of utmost bliss) that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness
OFFEND: to transgress the moral or divine law: to sinOFFENDED: to transgress the moral or divine law: to sinOFFENDING: to transgress the moral or divine law: to sin
Ecclesiastical Buildings and Architecture
ABBEY: an abbey churchALTAR: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual; a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worshipBETHEL*: a chapel for Nonconformists, or a place of worship for seamenCANOPY: a baldachin: an ornamental structure resembling a canopy used especially over an altarCELL: a small religious house dependent on a monastery or convent; also, a single room (as in a convent) usually for one personCHANCEL: the part of a church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choirCHOIR: the part of a church occupied by the singers or by the clergy; also: the part of a church where the services are performedCHURCH: a building for public and especially Christian worshipCHURCHYARD: a yard that belongs to a church and is often used as a burial groundCOLLEGE: a building used for an educational or religious purposeCRYPT: a vault under the main floor of a churchDEDICATE: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesDEDICATED: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesLOFT: a gallery in a church (a choir or organ loft)NAVE: the main part of the interior of a church, especially: the long narrow central hall in a cruciform church that rises higher than the aisles flanking it to form a clerestory
Gods, Demons, and Angels
ANGEL: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyANGELIC: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyAVATAR: the incarnation of a Hindu deity (such as Vishnu)BAMBINO*: a representation of the infant Christ, especially in artCANONIZATION: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saintCHOIR: a division of angelsDEICIDE: the act of killing a divine being or a symbolic substitute of such a being, or the killer or destroyer of a godDEIFIED: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFY: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFYING: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEITY: the rank or essential nature of a god: divinityDEMON: an evil spirit (e.g., angels and demons)DEVIL: often capitalized: the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell. DIABOLIC: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDIABOLICAL: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDIVINE: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityDIVINELY: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityDOMINATION: dominions plural, Christianity : an order of angelsDOMINION: Christianity: an order of angels in the celestial hierarchyEMBODIED: to give a body to (a spirit): incarnateEPIPHANY: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being [Christian Epiphany is always capitalized]FIEND: the devilGODHOOD*: divinityGODLY: divine; also, piousHELL: the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which condemned people suffer everlasting punishment, often used in cursesHIGH: Heaven (wisdom from on high)HORN: a part like an animal's horn attributed especially to the devilINTELLIGENCE: an intelligent entity, especially: an angelJUDICIAL: arising from a judgment of GodLOVE: a god (such as Cupid or Eros) or personification of love
Organizations and Congregations
ABBEY: a monastery ruled by an abbot or a convent ruled by an abbessBETHEL*: a hallowed spot, or a chapel for Nonconformists, or a place of worship for seamenCATHOLIC: often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the church universal; also, often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from itCHURCH: a body or organization of religious believers; denomination; congregationCIRCUIT: a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastorCOMMUNION: a body of Christians having a common faith and disciplineCONVENT: a local community or house of a religious order or congregation, especially: an establishment of nunsCOVEN: an assembly or band of usually 13 witchesFLOCK: a group under the guidance of a leader, especially: a church congregationFOLD: a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasmFRIARY: a monastery of friarsLAIC: variant of laical, of or relating to the laity: secularLAICAL: of or relating to the laity: secularLAICALLY*: of or relating to the laity: secularLAICIZE: to reduce to lay status; to put under the direction of or open to the laityLAITY: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergyLAYMAN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYMEN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYPEOPLE: plural of layperson, a member of the laityLAYWOMAN: a woman who is a member of the laity
OBEDIENCE: an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion (under the obedience of the Bishop of Rome)
Persons, Roles, and Offices
ABBACY: the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbotABBATIAL*: of or relating to an abbot, abbess, or abbeyABBOT: the superior of a monastery for menACOLYTE: one who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor dutiesARHAT: a Buddhist who has reached the stage of enlightenmentAUXILIARY: auxiliary bishop: a Roman Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of successionAYATOLLAH: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imamBENEFICE: an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attachedCALL: an invitation to become the minister of a church; a divine vocation or strong inner promptingCANON: a clergyman belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate churchCANONIC: canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANONICAL: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANONICALLY: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANONIZATION: to make canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANTOR: a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayer; also, a precentor, a leader of the singing of a choir or congregation [in a house of worship]CELIBACY: abstention by vow from marriageCELIBATE: abstaining from marriage and sex especially because of a religious vow; one who abstains from marriage because of a religious vowCHURCH: the clergy or officialdom of a religious bodyCIRCUIT: a regular tour (as by a traveling preacher) around an assigned district or territory; also, the route traveled (His circuit took him to many towns in the county.)CLOTH: the dress of the clergy; also, the clergy (had respect for the cloth)COLLEGE: M-W’s 1st def.: a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundationCONCLAVE: a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a popeCURACY: the office or term of office of a curate (a member of the clergy in charge of a parish, or a member of the clergy serving as assistant (as to a rector) in a parish)DEACON: a subordinate officer in a Christian churchDEAN: the head of the chapter of a collegiate or cathedral church or a Roman Catholic priest who supervises one district of a dioceseDIVINE: a clergyman or theologianDOCTOR: M-W’s 1st def.: Christianity: an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic ChurchDRUID: often capitalized: one of an ancient Celtic priesthood appearing in Irish and Welsh sagas and Christian legends as magicians and wizardsEMINENCE: a person of high rank or attainments —often used as a title for a cardinalEXCELLENCE: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)EXCELLENCY: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)FRIAR: a member of a mendicant order: a religious order (such as the Franciscans) combining monastic life and outside religious activity and originally owning neither personal nor community propertyFROCK: (verb) to make a cleric ofGUARDIAN: a superior of a Franciscan monasteryGURU: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in HinduismIMAM: the prayer leader of a mosque; also, a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad; also, any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim regionLAMA: a Tibetan Buddhist monkLORD: a bishop of the Church of EnglandMARTYR: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion; also, to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or professionMARTYRDOM: the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faithMOHEL: a person who performs ritual Jewish circumcisionsMONK: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monasteryMULLAH: an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official postNEOPHYTE: a novice, a person admitted to probationary membership in a religious communityNOVICE: a person admitted to probationary membership in a religious communityNUNCIO: a papal legate of the highest rank permanently accredited to a civil governmentNUNHOOD: the status or calling of a nun, a woman belonging to a religious order, especially one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
OBLATE: a layman living in a monastery under a modified rule and without vows; also, a member of one of several Roman Catholic communities of men or womenORDAIN: to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority (was ordained as a priest)ORDINARY: a prelate exercising original jurisdiction over a specified territory or group (The ordinary of a diocese is a bishop.); also, a clergyman appointed formerly in England to attend condemned criminals
Religions: Any Religion
ABOVE: heaven; also, in or to heavenALTAR: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual; a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worshipAMEN: used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion)ANGEL: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyANGELIC: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyANOINT: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentANOINTING: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentANTHEM: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively; also, a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the ScripturesBELIEF: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing; something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion: something believed; conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidenceBELIEVE: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factBELIEVING: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factBELOW: on earth, or in or to hades or hell; alsoBLAZE: blazes plural: hell (go to blazes)CALL: an invitation to become the minister of a church; a divine vocation or strong inner promptingCANT: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love)CANTING: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love); also, (adj.) affectedly pious or righteousCARNAL: temporal (spiritual and eternal over the carnal); worldly (a carnal mind)CELIBACY: abstention by vow from marriageCELIBATE: abstaining from marriage and sex especially because of a religious vow; one who abstains from marriage because of a religious vowCHANCEL: the part of a church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choirCHOIR: a division of angelsCHURCH: a body or organization of religious believers; denomination; congregationCHURCHY: marked by strict conformity or zealous adherence to the forms or beliefs of a church; also, of or suggestive of a church or church servicesCLAY: the human body as distinguished from the spiritCULT: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents (the cult of Jesus)CULTIC: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents (the cult of Jesus)DEBT: sin, trespass (forgive us our debts.)DEDICATE: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesDEDICATED: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesDEICIDE: the act of killing a divine being or a symbolic substitute of such a being, or the killer or destroyer of a godDEIFIED: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFY: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFYING: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEITY: the rank or essential nature of a god: divinityDEMON: an evil spirit (e.g., angels and demons)DEVOTION: religious fervor: piety; also, an act of prayer or private worship, used in plural; also a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregationDIVINE: a clergyman or theologianDIVINE: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityDIVINELY: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityEMBODIED: to give a body to (a spirit): incarnateENLIGHTEN: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTENING: to give spiritual insight toFAITH: belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proofFALL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLEN: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLING: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLS: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFELL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFIEND: the devilFOUL: morally or spiritually odiousFOULLY: morally or spiritually odiousGLORIFY: to give glory to (as in worship); to elevate to celestial glory; to represent as glorious: extolGLORY: worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgivingGODHOOD*: divinityGODLY: divine; also, piousHALO: an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereignHEAVENLY: suggesting the blessed state of heaven: beatificHIGH: Heaven (wisdom from on high)HOLILY* : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessHOLY: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessHORN: a part like an animal's horn attributed especially to the devilIDOL: a representation or symbol of an object of worshipINFALLIBLE: incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or moralsINNOCENCE: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil: blamelessnessINNOCENT: free from guilt or sin especially through lack of knowledge of evil: blameless; a person free from sinINTELLIGENCE: an intelligent entity, especially: an angelJUDICIAL: arising from a judgment of GodLAIC: variant of laical, of or relating to the laity: secularLAICAL: of or relating to the laity: secularLAICALLY*: of or relating to the laity: secularLAICIZE: to reduce to lay status; to put under the direction of or open to the laityLAITY: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergyLAMP: a source of intellectual or spiritual illuminationLAYMAN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYMEN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYPEOPLE: plural of layperson, a member of the laityLAYWOMAN: a woman who is a member of the laityLIFE: spiritual existence transcending physical death (life after death)LIVE: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVED: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVING: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LOFT: a gallery in a church (a choir or organ loft)LOVE: a person's adoration of God; also, the fatherly concern of God for humankind; also, a god (such as Cupid or Eros) or personification of loveNUNHOOD: the status or calling of a nun, a woman belonging to a religious order, especially one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
Religions: Buddhism
ARHAT: a Buddhist who has reached the stage of enlightenmentCHAKRA: any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophyDHARMA: in Hinduism, an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law; or in Hinduism and Buddhism, the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence, divine law; or conformity to one's duty and natureKARMA: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKARMIC: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKOAN: a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining sudden intuitive enlightenmentLAMA: a Tibetan Buddhist monkLIGHT: spiritual illumination; also, inner light: a divine presence held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the soul; also, enlightenment: in Buddhism: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or sufferingMANDALA: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe, specifically: a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to meditationNIRVANA: the final beatitude (state of utmost bliss) that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness
Religions: Christian Scientist
ANGEL: Christian Science: inspiration from GodANGELIC: Christian Science: inspiration from GodDEATH: Christian Science: the lie of life in matter: that which is unreal and untrueDEVIL: In Christian Science: the opposite of Truth: a belief in sin, sickness, and death: evil, errorHEAVEN: in Christian Science: a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind is manifestHEAVENLY: in Christian Science: a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind is manifestHELL: in Christian Science: error, that is, illusion about the nature of reality that is the cause of human suffering: the contradiction of truthIDEA: in Christian Science: an image in MindINTELLIGENCE: Christian Science: the basic eternal quality of divine Mind
Religions: Christianity (all sects)
ABBACY: the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbotABBATIAL*: of or relating to an abbot, abbess, or abbeyABBEY: an abbey church; also, a monastery ruled by an abbot or a convent ruled by an abbess; also, the superior of a monastery for menACOLYTE: one who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor dutiesAGAPE: synonym for love feast: a meal eaten in common by a Christian congregation in token of brotherly love; unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of anotherALTAR: a tablelike construction used in the Christian church in celebrating the EucharistANATHEMA: one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority, or a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunicationATTRITION: sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of God [as compared to contrition]AUXILIARY: auxiliary bishop: a Roman Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of successionBAMBINO*: a representation of the infant Christ, especially in artBAND: bands plural: a pair of strips hanging at the front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dressBAPTIZE: to administer baptism: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community; or: a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purificationBEAD: M-W’s first four definitions are related to prayer, probably from derivation of the word, meaning ‘to pray’BENEFICE: an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attachedBETHEL*: a hallowed spot, or a chapel for Nonconformists, or a place of worship for seamenBIBLICAL: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBIBLICALLY: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBULL: a solemn papal letter sealed with a bulla or with a red-ink imprint of the device on the bullaCANON: a clergyman belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church; also, a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council; or a provision of canon law; also, the most solemn and unvarying part of the Mass including the consecration of the bread and wine; also, an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy ScriptureCANONIC: canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon; also, canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also, canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICAL: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon; also, canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also, canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICALLY: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon; also, canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also, canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONIZATION: to make canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also; to make canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures); also, to sanction by ecclesiastical authority; to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to; also, to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint; also, to make canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANOPY: a baldachin: an ornamental structure resembling a canopy used especially over an altarCARNIVAL: a season or festival of merrymaking before LentCATHOLIC: often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the church universal; also, often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from itCELL: a small religious house dependent on a monastery or convent; also, a single room (as in a convent) usually for one personCHALICE: the eucharistic cupCHANT: plainsongCHOIR: the part of a church occupied by the singers or by the clergy; also: the part of a church where the services are performedCHURCH: a building for public and especially Christian worship; also, the clergy or officialdom of a religious body; also, a body or organization of religious believers; denomination; congregationCHURCHYARD: a yard that belongs to a church and is often used as a burial groundCIRCUIT: a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastor; also, a regular tour (as by a traveling preacher) around an assigned district or territory; also, the route traveled (His circuit took him to many towns in the county.)COIF: in M-W 1st def. of coif: a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nunsCOLLAR: short for clerical collar: a narrow stiffly upright white collar worn buttoned at the back of the neck by members of the clergyCOLLECT: M-W’s 1st def.: a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion, esp. one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the dayCOLLEGE: M-W’s 1st def.: a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundationCOMITY: avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious denominationCOMMON: a religious service suitable for any of various festivalsCOMMUNION: a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline; also, The Christian sacrament is always capitalized. Small-c communion is the act of receiving CommunionCONCLAVE: a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a popeCONFIRM: to administer the rite of confirmation toCONFOUND: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCONFOUNDED: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCONVENT: a local community or house of a religious order or congregation, especially: an establishment of nunsCOPE: a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestmentCOPED: to cover or furnish with a copeCROOK: a crosier, a staff resembling a shepherd's crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of officeCRYPT: a vault under the main floor of a churchCURACY: the office or term of office of a curate (a member of the clergy in charge of a parish, or a member of the clergy serving as assistant (as to a rector) in a parish)DAMN: to condemn to a punishment or fate; especially: to condemn to hellDAMNATION: the act of damning: the state of being damnedDAMNING: to condemn to a punishment or fate; especially: to condemn to hellDEACON: a subordinate officer in a Christian churchDEAN: the head of the chapter of a collegiate or cathedral church or a Roman Catholic priest who supervises one district of a dioceseDECADE: Roman Catholicism: a division of the rosary that consists primarily of 10 Hail MarysDEVIL: often capitalized: the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell. DIABOLIC: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDIABOLICAL: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDOCTOR: M-W’s 1st def.: Christianity: an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic ChurchDOMINATION: dominions plural, Christianity : an order of angelsDOMINION: Christianity: an order of angels in the celestial hierarchyDOOM: Judgment; the final judging of humankind by God; such as Judgement Day: the day of God's judgment of humankind at the end of the world according to various theologiesELECT: (adj.) chosen for salvation through divine mercy; also, (noun) one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor) (the elect)ELEMENT: elements plural: the bread and wine used in the EucharistEMINENCE: a person of high rank or attainments —often used as a title for a cardinalEPIPHANY: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being [Christian Epiphany is always capitalized]EXCELLENCE: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)EXCELLENCY: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)FLOCK: a group under the guidance of a leader, especially: a church congregationFOLD: a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasmFONT: a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFONTAL: related to a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFORMULA: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritualFRIAR: a member of a mendicant order: a religious order (such as the Franciscans) combining monastic life and outside religious activity and originally owning neither personal nor community propertyFRIARY: a monastery of friarsFROCK: (verb) to make a cleric of; also, (noun) an outer garment worn by monks and friars: habitFRONTAL: a cloth hanging over the front of an altarGODCHILD: a person for whom another person becomes sponsor at baptismGRADUAL: a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass; also, a book containing the choral parts of the MassGUARDIAN: a superior of a Franciscan monasteryHABIT: a nun’s habitHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personHEAVEN: a spiritual state of everlasting communion with God; also (often capitalized): the dwelling place of the Deity and the blessed deadHELL: the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which condemned people suffer everlasting punishment, often used in cursesHIGH: stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony, specifically: high churchHOUR: a time or office for daily liturgical devotion, especially: a canonical hour, a time of day canonically appointed for an office of devotion, or one of the daily offices of devotion that compose the Divine Office and include matins with lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, and complineHYMN: a song of praise to God; a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious service. Here, “hymn” refers to the words. The music for a sung hymn is called a “hymn tune.”HYMNAL: a collection of church hymnsHYMNARY: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsHYMNBOOK: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsICON: in Eastern Orthodox Christianity: a representation (as in a mural, a mosaic, or a painting on wood) of sacred events or especially of a sacred individual (such as Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint) used as an object of veneration or a tool for instructionINDEX: a list of restricted or prohibited material; specifically, Index: a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authoritiesINFIDEL: one who is not a Christian or who opposes ChristianityINTENTION: the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offeredINTROIT* : a piece of music sung or played at the beginning of a worship service; also, often capitalized: the first part of the traditional proper of the Mass consisting of an antiphon, verse from a psalm, and the Gloria PatriLAUD: lauds or Lauds plural in form but singular or plural in construction: an office of solemn praise to God forming with matins the first of the canonical; also, to praise, to extolLAUDED: to praise, to extolLIMBO: often capitalized: an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptismLITANY: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregationLITURGY: often capitalized: a eucharistic rite; also, (uncapitalized) a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship (a baptismal liturgy)LORD: a bishop of the Church of EnglandMAGE: often capitalized: one of the traditionally three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant JesusMAGI: plural of magus, often capitalized: one of the traditionally three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant JesusMANNA: food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness MILLENNIA: plural of millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthMILLENNIAL: of or relating to a millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthNOEL: a Christmas carolNONE: (often capitalized) the fifth of the canonical hoursNUNCIO: a papal legate of the highest rank permanently accredited to a civil government
Religions: Hinduism
AVATAR: the incarnation of a Hindu deity (such as Vishnu)BINDI: a mark (such as a red dot) or piece of jewelry worn on the middle of the forehead especially by Hindu womenCHAKRA: any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophyDHARMA: in Hinduism, an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law; or in Hinduism and Buddhism, the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence, divine law; or conformity to one's duty and natureGURU: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in HinduismHATHA: M-W shows only an open compound, hatha yoga: a system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu disciplinesKARMA: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKARMIC: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeMANDALA: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe, specifically: a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to meditationMANTRA: a mystical formula of invocation or incantation (as in Hinduism)
Religions: Islam
AYATOLLAH: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imamFATWA: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leaderHADITH* : a narrative record of the sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions; also, the collective body of traditions relating to Muhammad and his companionsHALAL: sanctioned by Islamic law, especially: ritually fit for useHARAM: forbidden by Islamic lawHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personIMAM: the prayer leader of a mosque; also, a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad; also, any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim regionMULLAH: an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official post
Religions: Judaism
CABALA: M-W: less common spelling of kabbalah: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy …CANTOR: a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayerCHALLAH: egg-rich yeast-leavened bread that is usually braided or twisted before baking and is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath and holidaysCHUPPAH: a canopy under which the bride and groom stand during a Jewish wedding ceremonyGELT: chocolate candy in the shape of coins often given to Jewish children at HanukkahHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personKABBALAH: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy … The SB Lexicon also includes cabala, per M-W a ess common spelling of kabbalahKIPPA: M-W: variant of kippah, a yarmulke, a skullcap worn especially by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the synagogue and the homeMANNA: food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness MATZO: unleavened bread eaten especially at the Passover; also, a wafer of matzoMINYAN*: the quorum required for Jewish communal worship that consists of ten male adults in Orthodox Judaism and usually ten adults of either sex in Conservative and Reform JudaismMOHEL: a person who performs ritual Jewish circumcisions
Religions: Others
ANKH: a cross having a loop for its upper vertical arm and serving especially in ancient Egypt as an emblem of lifeCOVEN: an assembly or band of usually 13 witchesCULT: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body of adherents (the voodoo cult, a satanic cult)CULTIC: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body of adherents (the voodoo cult, a satanic cult)DRUID: often capitalized: one of an ancient Celtic priesthood appearing in Irish and Welsh sagas and Christian legends as magicians and wizardsLIGHT: spiritual illumination; also, inner light: a divine presence held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the soul; also, enlightenment: in Buddhism: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or sufferingMAGE: a magus, a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and PersiansMAGI: plural of magus, a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and PersiansMEETING: a permanent organizational unit of the Society of Friends
Rituals, Rites, Prayer, and Worship
AGAPE: synonym for love feast: a meal eaten in common by a Christian congregation in token of brotherly love; unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of anotherALTAR: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual; a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worshipANATHEMA: one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority, or a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunicationANOINT: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentANOINTING: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentBAPTIZE: to administer baptism: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community; or: a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purificationBEAD: M-W’s first four definitions are related to prayer, probably from derivation of the word, meaning ‘to pray’CANON: the most solemn and unvarying part of the Mass including the consecration of the bread and wineCARNIVAL: a season or festival of merrymaking before LentCHURCHY: of or suggestive of a church or church servicesCOLLECT: M-W’s 1st def.: a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion, esp. one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the dayCOMMON: a religious service suitable for any of various festivalsCOMMUNION: The Christian sacrament is always capitalized. Small-c communion is the act of receiving CommunionCONFIRM: to administer the rite of confirmation toCONFOUND: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCONFOUNDED: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCULT: formal religious veneration: worshipCULTIC: formal religious veneration: worshipDAMN: to condemn to a punishment or fate; especially: to condemn to hellDAMNATION: the act of damning: the state of being damnedDAMNING: to condemn to a punishment or fate; especially: to condemn to hellDECADE: Roman Catholicism: a division of the rosary that consists primarily of 10 Hail MarysDEVOTION: an act of prayer or private worship, used in plural; also a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregationELEMENT: elements plural: the bread and wine used in the EucharistFORMULA: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritualGELT: chocolate candy in the shape of coins often given to Jewish children at HanukkahGLORIFY: to give glory to (as in worship); to elevate to celestial glory; to represent as glorious: extolGLORY: worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgivingGODCHILD: a person for whom another person becomes sponsor at baptismHATHA: M-W shows only an open compound, hatha yoga: a system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu disciplinesHOUR: a time or office for daily liturgical devotion, especially: a canonical hour, a time of day canonically appointed for an office of devotion, or one of the daily offices of devotion that compose the Divine Office and include matins with lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, and complineINTENTION: the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offeredLAUD: lauds or Lauds plural in form but singular or plural in construction: an office of solemn praise to God forming with matins the first of the canonical; also, to praise, to extolLAUDED: to praise, to extolLITANY: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregationLITURGY: often capitalized: a eucharistic rite; also, (uncapitalized) a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship (a baptismal liturgy)MANTRA: a mystical formula of invocation or incantation (as in Hinduism)MEDITATE: to engage in contemplation or reflection; to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awarenessMEDITATED: to engage in contemplation or reflection; to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awarenessMEDITATIVE: marked by or conducive to meditation; disposed or given to meditationMINYAN*: the quorum required for Jewish communal worship that consists of ten male adults in Orthodox Judaism and usually ten adults of either sex in Conservative and Reform JudaismMORTIFY: to subdue or deaden (the body, bodily appetites, etc.) especially by abstinence or self-inflicted pain or discomfort (mortified his body for spiritual purification); to practice mortification, the subjection and denial of bodily passions and appetites by abstinence or self-inflicted pain or discomfortNONE: (often capitalized) the fifth of the canonical hours
OCTAVE: an 8-day period of observances beginning with a festival dayOFFICE: a prescribed form or service of worship, specifically, Office: divine office; also, a religious or social ceremonial observance: a riteORDINARY: often capitalized: the parts of the Mass that do not vary from day to day (The "Our Father" is part of the ordinary of the Mass.)ORGY: secret ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman deity and usually characterized by ecstatic singing and dancing (e.g., Roman orgies in honor of Bacchus)
Symbols, Objects, and Dress
ANKH: a cross having a loop for its upper vertical arm and serving especially in ancient Egypt as an emblem of lifeBAND: bands plural: a pair of strips hanging at the front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dressBINDI: a mark (such as a red dot) or piece of jewelry worn on the middle of the forehead especially by Hindu womenCHALICE: the eucharistic cupCHALLAH: egg-rich yeast-leavened bread that is usually braided or twisted before baking and is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath and holidaysCHUPPAH: a canopy under which the bride and groom stand during a Jewish wedding ceremonyCLOTH: the dress of the clergy; also, the clergy (had respect for the cloth)COIF: in M-W 1st def. of coif: a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nunsCOLLAR: short for clerical collar: a narrow stiffly upright white collar worn buttoned at the back of the neck by members of the clergyCOPE: a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestmentCOPED: to cover or furnish with a copeCROOK: a crosier, a staff resembling a shepherd's crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of officeFONT: a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFONTAL: related to a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFROCK: (noun) an outer garment worn by monks and friars: habitFRONTAL: a cloth hanging over the front of an altarHABIT: a nun’s habitHALO: an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereignICON: in Eastern Orthodox Christianity: a representation (as in a mural, a mosaic, or a painting on wood) of sacred events or especially of a sacred individual (such as Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint) used as an object of veneration or a tool for instructionIDOL: a representation or symbol of an object of worshipKIPPA: M-W: variant of kippah, a yarmulke, a skullcap worn especially by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the synagogue and the homeMATZO: unleavened bread eaten especially at the Passover; also, a wafer of matzoMEDAL: a small usually metal object bearing a religious emblem or pictureMITRAL: resembling a miter, a liturgical headdress worn by bishops and abbots
Words and Music
AMEN: used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion)ANTHEM: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively; also, a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the ScripturesBIBLICAL: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBIBLICALLY: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBULL: a solemn papal letter sealed with a bulla or with a red-ink imprint of the device on the bullaCANON: an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy ScriptureCANONIC: canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICAL: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICALLY: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONIZATION: to make canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANTOR: a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayer; also, a precentor, a leader of the singing of a choir or congregation [in a house of worship]CHANT: plainsongGRADUAL: a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass; also, a book containing the choral parts of the MassHADITH* : a narrative record of the sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions; also, the collective body of traditions relating to Muhammad and his companionsHYMN: a song of praise to God; a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious service. Here, “hymn” refers to the words. The music for a sung hymn is called a “hymn tune.”HYMNAL: a collection of church hymnsHYMNARY: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsHYMNBOOK: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsINTROIT* : a piece of music sung or played at the beginning of a worship service; also, often capitalized: the first part of the traditional proper of the Mass consisting of an antiphon, verse from a psalm, and the Gloria PatriNATION: in the Bible: a non-Jewish nationality (why do the nations conspire—Psalms 2:1)NOEL: a Christmas carol