offertory
UK[ˈɒfət(ə)ri]US[ˈɔːfərtɔːri]
n
the offering of the bread and wine at the eucharist.
n
a collection of money made at a religious service.
n
a piece of music played or sung during the offertory in a church service.
Morpheme Breakdown
offer
tory
offer
to present
tory
place or thing associated with an action
Etymology
the word 'offertory' has a direct liturgical lineage from latin. it originates from the ecclesiastical latin term offertorium, which itself is derived from the verb offerre, meaning 'to offer'. this verb is a compound of the prefix ob- (meaning 'toward') and the verb ferre (meaning 'to bear, to carry'), painting a literal picture of 'carrying toward' or presenting something. in christian practice, this term was adopted specifically for the part of the eucharist where bread and wine are presented to be consecrated. over time, its meaning expanded in english to encompass not only the ritual act but also the monetary collection and the accompanying music performed during that segment of the service, all centered on the core concept of offering.
Analysis
Structure: offer (to present) + tory (place or thing associated with an action)
offer (from latin offerre, meaning 'to bring before, to present'); tory (a suffix of latin origin, via anglo-norman and old french -oire, used to form nouns denoting a place or thing associated with an action).
Examples
the choir sang a beautiful anthem during the offertory.
the priest prepared the gifts at the altar for the offertory.
the ushers passed the plates for the sunday offertory.