vesper

views updated Jun 27 2018

ves·per / ˈvespər/ • n. evening prayer: [as adj.] vesper service. See also vespers. ∎ archaic evening. ∎ (Vesper) poetic/lit. Venus as the evening star.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

vesper

views updated May 17 2018

vesper
A. evening star, Hesperus XIV; evening XVII;

B. pl. †public disputations held on the eve of the commencement of a bachelor of arts XVI; pl. sixth of the canonical hours, evensong XVII.

A. — L. vesper evening star, evening = Gr. hésperos;

B. — OF. vespres (mod. vêpres) — ecclL. vesperās, acc. pl. of L. vespera evening, eventide = Gr. hespérā.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

Vesper

views updated Jun 08 2018

Vesper in poetic and literary use, Venus as the evening star; Hesper, Hesperus.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

VESPER

views updated May 29 2018

VESPER (ˈvɛspə) Voluntary Enterprises and Services and Part-time Employment for the Retired

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH