antiphon

UK: /ˈæntɪfən/ US: /ˈæntəˌfɑn/ ,(an′tə fon′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•ti•phon /ˈæntəˌfɑn/   n. [countable]

1. Music and Dance a song to be chanted or sung responsively.

an•tiph•o•nal /ænˈtɪfənəl/  adj. 
an•tiph•o•nal•ly, adv. 
an•tiph•o•ny /ænˈtɪfəni/  n. [countable] , pl. -nies.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•ti•phon  (an′tə fon′), n. 

1. Music and Dance a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response.
2. [Eccles.]
   • a psalm, hymn, or prayer sung in alternate parts.
   • a verse or a series of verses sung as a prelude or conclusion to some part of the service.

• Greek (tà) antíphōna, neuter plural of antíphōnos sounding in answer, equivalent. to anti- anti- + phōn(é̄) sound + -os adjective, adjectival suffix. Cf. anthem
• Medieval Latin antiphōna responsive singing
• 1490–1500

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

antiphon / ˈæntɪfən/ noun

1. a short passage, usually from the Bible, recited or sung as a response after certain parts of a liturgical service
2. a psalm, hymn, etc, chanted or sung in alternate parts
3. any response or answer

Etymology: 15th Century: from Late Latin antiphōna sung responses, from Late Greek, plural of antiphōnon (something) responsive, from antiphōnos, from anti- + phōnē sound