matins

Definition of Matins in English :

1. matins, morning prayer

the first canonical hour; at daybreak

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Matins

noun (functioning as singular or plural)

1.

a. mainly Roman Catholic Church

the first of the seven canonical hours of prayer, originally observed at night but now often recited with lauds at daybreak

b.

the service of morning prayer in the Church of England

2. literary

a morning song, esp of birds

n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

1.

a. Ecclesiastical The office that formerly constituted together with lauds the first of the seven canonical hours.

b. The time of day appointed for this service, traditionally midnight or 2 AM but often sunrise.

2. often Matins See Morning Prayer.