versicle

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ver=si=cle

CIDE DICTIONARY

versicle, n. [L. versiculus, dim. of versus. See Verse.].

 A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and followed by a response from the people.  [1913 Webster]
"The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

versicle, n. each of the short sentences in a liturgy said or sung by a priest etc. and alternating with responses.

Derivative

versicular adj.

Etymology

ME f. OF versicule or L versiculus dimin. of versus: see VERSE