litany

noun

lit·a·ny ˈli-tə-nē How to pronounce litany (audio)

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregation

the Litany of the Saints

: a resonant or repetitive chant

a litany of cheering phrases

Herman Wouk

: a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration

a familiar litany of complaints

: a sizable series or set

a litany of problems

The drug has a litany of possible side effects.

Did you know?

A Short History of Litany

How do we love the word litany? Let us count the ways. We love its original 13th century meaning, still in use today, referring to a call-and-response prayer in which a series of lines are spoken alternately by a leader and a congregation. We love how litany has developed in the intervening centuries three figurative senses, and we love each of these as well: first, a sense meaning “repetitive chant”; next, the “lengthy recitation” sense owing to the repetitious—and sometimes interminable—nature of the original litany; and finally, an even broader sense referring to any sizeable series or set. Though litanies of this third sort tend to be unpleasant, we choose today to think of the loveliness found in the idea of “a litany of sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

Example Sentences

He has a litany of grievances against his former employer. The team blamed its losses on a litany of injuries.

Recent Examples on the Web Residents refer to a litany of abuses perpetrated by the nearly 150-year-old school, including urban renewal efforts in the early 2000s that displaced hundreds of Black families.

Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 His view is not shared by the overwhelming majority of cryptocurrency experts, who point to a litany of problems with Dogecoin including its poor tokenomics, weak network security and minimal development.

Martin Leo Rivers, Forbes, 31 July 2022 Despite the name, Prime Day is actually a two-day event exclusively open to subscribers of Amazon’s Prime service, during which members have access to a litany of deals, exclusive discounts, and limited-time savings.

Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 July 2022 There was never any significant legislative response to the litany of other mass shootings over the past few decades.

Fox News, 13 June 2022 Anger, yes, toward the gunman, but even more so toward a country that has failed to respond in any meaningful way to a litany of such tragedies that now stretches over decades.

The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 May 2022 Republicans are eager to win control of both chambers of Congress, which would stifle Biden’s legislative agenda and open the door to a litany of congressional investigations of his administration.

Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 4 May 2022 Residents and advocates have proposed a litany of short-term solutions: accessory dwelling units, trailer homes, tiny houses.

Andrew Brinker, BostonGlobe.com, 13 July 2022 The litany of high inventory and low sales complaints, brought on by not understanding the shift in consumer preferences is by now well documented.

Walter Loeb, Forbes, 5 June 2022 See More

单词	litanies
释义	litany noun lit·a·ny ˈli-tə-nē ˈlit-nē plural litanies 1 : a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregation the Litany of the Saints 2 a : a resonant or repetitive chant a litany of cheering phrases Herman Wouk b : a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration a familiar litany of complaints c : a sizable series or set a litany of problems The drug has a litany of possible side effects. Did you know? A Short History of Litany How do we love the word litany? Let us count the ways. We love its original 13th century meaning, still in use today, referring to a call-and-response prayer in which a series of lines are spoken alternately by a leader and a congregation. We love how litany has developed in the intervening centuries three figurative senses, and we love each of these as well: first, a sense meaning “repetitive chant”; next, the “lengthy recitation” sense owing to the repetitious—and sometimes interminable—nature of the original litany; and finally, an even broader sense referring to any sizeable series or set. Though litanies of this third sort tend to be unpleasant, we choose today to think of the loveliness found in the idea of “a litany of sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.” Example Sentences He has a litany of grievances against his former employer. The team blamed its losses on a litany of injuries. Recent Examples on the Web Residents refer to a litany of abuses perpetrated by the nearly 150-year-old school, including urban renewal efforts in the early 2000s that displaced hundreds of Black families. Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 His view is not shared by the overwhelming majority of cryptocurrency experts, who point to a litany of problems with Dogecoin including its poor tokenomics, weak network security and minimal development. Martin Leo Rivers, Forbes, 31 July 2022 Despite the name, Prime Day is actually a two-day event exclusively open to subscribers of Amazon’s Prime service, during which members have access to a litany of deals, exclusive discounts, and limited-time savings. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 July 2022 There was never any significant legislative response to the litany of other mass shootings over the past few decades. Fox News, 13 June 2022 Anger, yes, toward the gunman, but even more so toward a country that has failed to respond in any meaningful way to a litany of such tragedies that now stretches over decades. The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 May 2022 Republicans are eager to win control of both chambers of Congress, which would stifle Biden’s legislative agenda and open the door to a litany of congressional investigations of his administration. Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 4 May 2022 Residents and advocates have proposed a litany of short-term solutions: accessory dwelling units, trailer homes, tiny houses. Andrew Brinker, BostonGlobe.com, 13 July 2022 The litany of high inventory and low sales complaints, brought on by not understanding the shift in consumer preferences is by now well documented. Walter Loeb, Forbes, 5 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English letanie, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin litania, from Late Greek litaneia, from Greek, entreaty, from litanos supplicant First Known Use 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 litanies noun plural of litany as in recitations a long stated list of things one after another Nobody wants to deal with a coworker who repeats the same litany of complaints day after day. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance recitations lists repetitions recitals enumerations listings iterations narrations reports stories catalogs checklists indexes accounts inventories indices
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litany

noun

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Example Sentences

Word History

noun