doxology
UK[dɒkˈsɒlədʒi]US[dɑːkˈsɑːlədʒi]
n
a short hymn or formula of praise to god, often added to the end of a psalm or other piece of religious writing.
n
a liturgical expression of praise, especially the "greater doxology" (gloria in excelsis deo) or the "lesser doxology" (gloria patri).
Morpheme Breakdown
dox
o
logy
dox
glory, praise
o
connecting vowel
logy
speech, discourse
Etymology
the word 'doxology' is a direct borrowing from late latin 'doxologia', which itself originates from ecclesiastical greek 'doxologia'. this greek term is a compound of 'doxa', meaning "glory" or "praise", and '-logia', denoting "speaking" or "discourse". the semantic journey is remarkably straightforward: from its literal greek components meaning "a speaking of glory", it entered christian liturgical vocabulary to specify a formal, often formulaic, utterance of praise directed toward the divine. its logic remains transparent, as a doxology is, by definition, a verbal or sung discourse whose sole purpose is to glorify god.
Analysis
Structure: dox (glory, praise) + o (connecting vowel) + logy (speech, discourse)
dox - from greek 'doxa' (glory, praise, opinion). logy - from greek '-logia' (speaking, discourse, study), from 'logos' (word, speech, reason). the 'o' is a connecting vowel typical in greek-derived compounds.
Examples
the congregation stood to sing the doxology at the end of the service.
the ancient "gloria patri" is one of the most familiar doxologies in christian worship.
the hymn writer composed a new doxology for the church's anniversary celebration.