Kyrie

Kyr·i·e  (kîr-)

n.

1.

a. A brief petition and response used in various liturgies of several Christian churches, beginning with or composed of the words "Lord, have mercy."

b. A brief petition and response that together comprise the first item of the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Mass.

2. A musical setting of either of these sets of petition and response.

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[Late Latin Krie (eleison), from Greek Krie eleson, Lord, have mercy : Krie, vocative of krios, lord, master; see keu- in Indo-European roots + eleson, aorist imperative of elein, to show mercy (from eleos, mercy).]