Eccl. Now Hist. [OE. úhtsang, -song, f. úhte UGHTEN. Cf. OHG. uhtisang, ON. and Icel. óttusǫngr (MSw. otto-, otta-, ottesang, Sw. ottesâng).] The ecclesiastical office celebrated just before daybreak; nocturns or matins.

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  a. 900.  O. E. Martyrol., 23 June, 102. From uhtsanges tide heo a wunode … on hire ʓebede oð dæʓ.

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c. 900.  Bæda’s Eccl. Hist., IV. xxv. 348. Hu neah þære tide wære, þætte þa broðor arisan scolden … & heora uhtsong singan.

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c. 960.  Rule St. Benet, ix. (Schröer), 33. On wintres timan is se uhtsang þus to beʓinnenne.

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a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 18. Þer efter anonriht vre Leafdi vhtsong siggeð oþisse wise. Ibid., 22. Biuoren Uhtsong & efter Prime.

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  1720.  Johnson, Canons Ch. Engl., Efric’s Can., xix. Let them sing … the Uht-song, the Prime-song, the Undern-song [etc.].

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1844.  Lingard, Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858), I. vii. 272, note. The night-song … was frequently joined with the uht-song.

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1853.  Rock, Ch. of Fathers, III. II. 11. The ‘invitatory’ at the beginning of uht-song or matins.

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