litany
UK: ˈlɪtəni | US: ˈlɪtəni
n. a repetitive series of prayers or petitions in religious worship
n. a lengthy and monotonous recital or list
litany = lit<supplication> + any<noun suffix>
- lit<supplication>: From Greek litē (prayer, supplication), via Late Latin litania.
- any<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns, often indicating a collective or abstract concept (e.g., "ceremony," "harmony").
Etymology Origin:
The word "litany" traces back to Greek litē (prayer), which evolved into Late Latin litania (a form of communal prayer). It entered Old French as letanie before being adopted into Middle English. The term originally referred to a specific type of repetitive prayer in Christian liturgy but later broadened to describe any tedious or repetitive enumeration.
The priest led the congregation in a solemn litany.
She recited a litany of complaints about her job.
The meeting devolved into a litany of excuses.
His speech was a litany of empty promises.
The book included a litany of historical errors.