1. Of the nature of an antiphon; sung alterately.
1719. Bingham, Orig. Eccles., V. XIII. x. 336. By way of antiphonal or alternate Melody. Ibid., II. 111 (T.). Antiphonal singing was first brought into the church of Milan.
1859. Sat. Rev., VIII. 2 July, 16/2. The antiphonal effect of the double choruses … in ‘Thy right hand, O Lord.’
2. Responsive in sound, or (transf.) other effect.
1848. Mariotti, Italy, I. i. 121. A peal of the organ is antiphonal to a flourish of trumpets.
1868. Swinburne, Ess. & Stud., 373. The dim floor-work in front … is antiphonal to the wealth of water beyond.
B. sb. An antiphonal collection; an antiphonary.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 572. [Warham] left all his … Ledgers, Grayles and Antiphonals to Wykeham Coll.
1872. Yeats, Tech. Hist. Comm., 379. The missals and antiphonals placed in churches exhibited magnificent exteriors.
