canticle

n.; pl. Canticles [ L. canticulum a little song, dim. of canticum song, fr. cantus a singing, fr. coner to sing. See Chant. ] 1. A song; esp. a little song or hymn. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. The Song of Songs or Song of Solomon, one of the books of the Old Testament. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A canto or division of a poem [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A psalm, hymn, or passage from the Bible, arranged for chanting in church service. [ 1913 Webster ]