homiliary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Academic, Ecclesiastical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “homiliary” mean?
A collection of homilies (sermons) arranged for reading during church services, especially in the medieval Christian liturgical year.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collection of homilies (sermons) arranged for reading during church services, especially in the medieval Christian liturgical year.
A book containing sermons or homilies, typically by the Church Fathers, compiled for liturgical use or private devotional reading. In historical scholarship, it refers to a specific genre of medieval manuscript.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Scholarly, historical, ecclesiastical. Carries connotations of medieval studies, patristics, and liturgical history.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, encountered almost solely in academic papers, catalogues of medieval manuscripts, or specialised theological works.
Grammar
How to Use “homiliary” in a Sentence
The [adjective] homiliary contains...Scholars examined the homiliary for [purpose].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history, theology, and medieval studies departments. Example: 'The researcher compared the structure of two 12th-century homiliaries.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in manuscript studies, codicology, and liturgical history to classify a type of source text.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homiliary”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homiliary”
- Using it to refer to a single sermon (that is a 'homily').
- Pronouncing it /ˈhɒmɪləri/ (the stress is on the second syllable).
- Assuming it is a common or contemporary term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A Bible contains sacred scripture. A homiliary contains sermons (homilies) that are explanations or commentaries based on scripture.
Not typically. The term and the specific compiled manuscript format are associated with historical, pre-modern Christian liturgy. Modern clergy may use sermon aids or collections, but they are not called homiliaries.
No. The '-ary' suffix here denotes a thing (a collection), not an agent. A person who delivers homilies is a 'homilist'.
No. It is a highly specialised historical/ecclesiastical term. An advanced general vocabulary does not require it.
A collection of homilies (sermons) arranged for reading during church services, especially in the medieval Christian liturgical year.
Homiliary is usually formal, academic, ecclesiastical, historical in register.
Homiliary: in British English it is pronounced /həˈmɪlɪəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /həˈmɪliˌɛri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HOMILY' (a sermon) + '-ary' (a collection of, like a dictionary). A homiliary is a collection of homilies.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOLBOX FOR PREACHERS: The homiliary is conceptualised as a curated set of tools (sermons) for the liturgical year.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'homiliary' primarily?