nounEtymology: Middle English, from Latin versiculus, diminutive of versus verse Date: 14th century 1. a short verse or sentence (as from a psalm) said or sung by a leader in public worship and followed by a response from the people 2. a little verse
n. each of the short sentences in a liturgy said or sung by a priest etc. and alternating with responses. Derivatives: versicular adj. Etymology: ME f. OF versicule or L versiculus dimin. of versus: see VERSE
Versicle Ver"si*cle, 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. The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles. --Strype.