Remains of a Medieval Italian Antiphonal

ABBREVIATIONS

The text employs many abbreviations, from the simple to the more complex, depending upon space and convention. Dashes above the top of final vowels commonly indicate the addition of an m, and apostrophes between consonants in the middle of a word indicate the addition of a vowel such as u or e. All expansion of abbreviations can be seen in the italicized letters of the transcription. More conspicuous abbreviations include the following:

 

spirit[us] = spiritus
q[ue] = que
q[ue] = que

d[eu]s = deus
d[eu]m = deum
d[omi]n[u]s = dominus

b[us] = bus
sup[er] = super
v[er]bu[m] = verbum

p[ro]pter = propter
all[eluy]a = alleluya

Nomina sacra and chant indicators are abbreviated and marked with rubricated squares.

 
D[omi]ne= Domine
 

 
 
Mag[nificat] = Magnificat
 
This indicates when the Magnificat canticle, or the Song of Mary, is to be sung. The Magnificat is accompanied by antiphons.  

 

[In saecula] s[ae]c[u]lorum = In saecula saeculorum
 
This is the set abbreviation for the doxology, the Gloria Patri, which ends with in saecula saeculorum, Amen. Doxologies end psalms and canticles.  

 

Rubrics, Punctuation and Other Signs

Rubrications are specialized textual commands in red ink to show the singer what and when to sing according to the liturgy of the service and occasion. In these leaves responsories are signaled by a majuscule R with a slashed mark extending through its right limb, and followed by an elongated punctus.Verses are signaled by a v with a punctus above and also to the right. These abbreviations can be found in conjunction with other abbreviations as well, whose function can be the subject of further focused research. Other common abbreviated rubrications include that of ps, with a punctus connected to the top of the bow of the p, representing psalm. The word amen is indicated by a single a with a curved line over it, followed by a punctus. Several additional rubricated abbreviations are used in the leaves; their nature and purpose can be explored in less introductory studies.

 


Image Source: Decorated initial 'A' from folio 8r.

Collections Focus Home | Library Home

© 2003, Brown University Library. All rights reserved.
Comments to: hay@brown.edu
This page was last updated on Wednesday, 01-Apr-2015 11:53:12 EDT .
You are the [an error occurred while processing this directive] visitor to this page since October 11, 2003.