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a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response.
ecclesiastical.

a psalm, hymn, or prayer sung in alternate parts.
a verse or a series of verses sung as a prelude or conclusion to some part of the service.

historical examples

antiphon is also said to have composed a τέχνη or art of rhetoric.
encyclopaedia britannica, 11th edition, volume 2, slice 2 various

the test for this admission was setting an antiphon in four parts.
the world’s great men of music harriette brower

but there was antiphon—son to menecrates—and a whole mina; why not him?
the works of lucian of samosata, v. 4 lucian of samosata

the proposal was accepted; and antiphon, a celebrated diviner, appointed to consult the oracle.
philothea lydia maria child

as the colonel raised the book to his lips he chanted the antiphon “so help me g-d.”
leaves from a field note-book j. h. morgan

before another moon had waned, antiphon returned from oropus, whither he had been sent to consult the oracle.
philothea lydia maria child

the people demanded of antiphon the meaning of these visions.
philothea lydia maria child

antiphon, a greek orator, born near athens; founder of political oratory in greece.
the new gresham encyclopedia. vol. 1 part 2 various

antiphon marks the beginning of that development, demosthenes its consummation.
encyclopaedia britannica, 11th edition, volume 14, slice 8 various

antiphon was the earliest in date alike of the athenian orators and of the professors of eloquence.
initiation into literature emile f-guet

noun
a short p-ssage, usually from the bible, recited or sung as a response after certain parts of a liturgical service
a psalm, hymn, etc, chanted or sung in alternate parts
any response or answer
n.

c.1500, “a versicle sung responsively,” from middle french antiphone “hymn” or directly from medieval latin antiphona, from greek antiphona, from anti- “over against” (see anti-) + phone “voice” (see fame (n.)). a re-adoption of the word which had become anthem in english and lost its original meaning.