Messe (en. Mass)

/mɛs/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Definition: Celebration of Christian worship, including prayers and rites.

Example Sentence: Every Sunday, he attends mass at his parish.

Chaque dimanche, il assiste à la messe dans sa paroisse.

Definition: Set of liturgical rites celebrated during a mass.

Example Sentence: The mass lasted over an hour with many songs.

La messe a duré plus d'une heure avec de nombreux chants.

Definition: Religious ceremony where the Eucharist is celebrated.

Example Sentence: The Christmas mass is a highly anticipated moment for the community.

La messe de Noël est un moment très attendu par la communauté.

Etymology/Origin: From Latin 'missa', which refers to the sending.

Phrase: midnight mass

Meaning: Religious celebration on the night of Christmas.

messe de minuit

Phrase: to hold mass

Meaning: To participate in the celebration of a mass.

faire la messe

Phrase: low mass

Meaning: Mass celebrated without singing, often at dawn.

messe basse

Phrase: singing mass

Meaning: Mass accompanied by liturgical songs.

messe chantante

Related Word: prayer

Description: Central element in religious practice.

prière

Related Word: ritual

Description: Series of symbolic gestures associated with a worship.

rituel

Related Word: communion

Description: Specificity of the mass where the faithful receive the body of Christ.

communion

Slang Meaning: Disorganized party or gathering.

Example: Last night's party was a real mess.

La soirée d'hier, c'était une vraie messe.

Slang Meaning: General disorganization.

Example: The project was a mess, everyone was lost.

Le projet était une messe, tout le monde était perdu.