missal

noun

mis·​sal ˈmi-səl How to pronounce missal (audio)
Synonyms of missalnext
: a book containing all that is said or sung at mass during the entire year

Examples of missal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
President Lyndon Johnson reportedly was sworn into office with a Catholic church missal book containing mass prayers − believed to be owned by John F. Kennedy − moments after Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963. — Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025 For instance, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt used a family Bible for all four of his inaugurations, while former President Lyndon B. Johnson used a Catholic missal found on Air Force One after President John F. Kennedy's assassination. — Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English messel, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French missal, messel, from Medieval Latin missale, from neuter of missalis of the mass, from Late Latin missa mass — more at mass

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of missal was in the 14th century

Rhymes for missal

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Browse Nearby Words

missa cantata
missal
missalette
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Cite this Entry

“Missal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missal. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

missal

noun
mis·​sal ˈmis-əl How to pronounce missal (audio)
: a book containing the prayers to be said or sung in the Mass during the year

More from Merriam-Webster on missal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for missal

Nglish: Translation of missal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about missal

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