Word Study
compline
CIDE DICTIONARY
compline, n. [From OE. complie, OF. complie, F. complies, pl., fr. LL. completa (prop. fem. of L. completus) the religious exercise which completes and closes the service of the day. See Complete.].
The last division of the Roman Catholic breviary; the seventh and last of the canonical hours of the Western church; the last prayer of the day, to be said after sunset. [1913 Webster]
"The custom of godly man been to shut up the evening with a compline of prayer at nine of the night." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
compline, n. Eccl.
1 the last of the canonical hours of prayer.
2 the service taking place during this.
1 the last of the canonical hours of prayer.
2 the service taking place during this.
Etymology
ME f. OF complie, fem. past part. of obs. complir complete, ult. f. L complere fill up
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