precent
precent — verb
- precentpresent simple I / you / we / they
- precents3rd person singular
- precenting-ing form
- precentedpast simple
1. to stand before a church choir or group of worshippers and lead them in singing
to stand before a church choir or group of worshippers and lead them in singing religious songs, especially hymns and psalms
Eve precented the opening hymn at her cousin's wedding, her voice carrying through the packed little church.
precent + noun (hymn) for a specific occasion
Tamás precented the twenty-third psalm while the congregation stood with heads bowed in the candlelit chapel.
Devika was chosen to precent at the Sunday morning service after the regular cantor lost her voice.
Sade precented the closing hymn at the Easter morning service, her voice steady despite the packed pews.
Brother Kwame, the youngest deacon, had never precented a full service before that snowy Christmas Eve.
- cantillate
more technical; refers specifically to chanting in a musical monotone, often in Jewish or Gregorian liturgy
- lead singing
general term, not restricted to religious settings; lacks the formal, liturgical connotation of 'precent'
文法句型
precent + noun (hymn, psalm)
precent (without object)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a designated church leader such as a precentor or cantor. Most often found in liturgical traditions, especially Presbyterian and Anglican services where a single voice leads the congregation.