Acroteleutic
As the bee meister, I’m
preparing spelling lists for the upcoming senior citizen spelling bee in
Traverse City, Michigan. Seniors work in teams of three to avoid the frayed
nerves that often accompany a solo public performance.
At any rate, I came
across one word in the list that caught my eye and piqued my interest. The word
is acroteleutic, and it refers to a formula repeated at the end of a psalm. In
some liturgies, that turns out to be the lesser doxology: Gloria Patri, et
Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in
saecula saeculorum. Amen. [Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.]
The word is composed of
two Greek components: ἄκρο [acro-], outermost, and τελευτή [teleute], end.
The word doxology (used
in the second paragraph) incorporates δόξα [doxa], glory, and -λογος [logos],
speaking.
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
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