Obs. [L. agnus a lamb.] = AGNUS DEI.
1494. Fabyan, VII. 472. After the thirde agnus was sayd.
1674. Brevint, Saul & Sam., 331 (T.). They will … carry most devoutly a scapulary, an agnus, or a set of beads about them. Ibid., 322. Scapularies, beads, ropes, agnusses.
Comb. agnus-bell (in R. C. Ch.) the bell rung while the Agnus Dei is being said or sung in the Mass.
1566. in Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866), 103. One sanctus bell one agnus bell gone owtt of the fore sayd churche.
