n. Primarily, a solemn prayer of supplication; a public or general supplication to God, especially in processions.n. Specifically, in liturgics, an appointed form of responsive prayer, used as part of a service or separately. The most important varieties have been the following:n. Hence Any earnest supplication or prayer.n. The same petitions with the following versicles or prayers and responses in the litany in the English Book of Common Prayer, allowed to be omitted at discretion in the American Book.n. The same petitions with the following versicles and responses in the Orders for Morning and Evening Prayer.