agnus : Idioms & Phrases

Index

agnus castus

Ag"nus cas"tus
Etymology
Gr. a willowlike tree, used at a religious festival; confused with holy, chaste.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A species of Vitex (V. agnus castus); the chaste tree. Loudon.
    And wreaths of agnus castus others bore. Dryden.
Webster 1913

agnus dei

  • noun figure of a lamb; emblematic of Christ
    Paschal Lamb.
  • noun a liturgical prayer beginning with these Latin words
WordNet
Ag"nus De"i
Etymology
L., lamb of God.
Definitions
  1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A figure of a lamb bearing a cross or flag. (b) A cake of wax stamped with such a figure. It is made from the remains of the paschal candles and blessed by the Pope. (c) A triple prayer in the sacrifice of the Mass, beginning with the words "Agnus Dei."
Webster 1913