Definition of "nocturns" [nocturns]

• Plural form of nocturn. (noun)

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• "The Hour of Matins is divided into three nocturns, as on the greater feasts, each of which consists of three psalms with their antiphons, a versicle, and three readings with their responsories."
• "There being no other place in the liturgies of the sacred Triduum for the three remaining Passions, they are read in the Divine Office of Good Friday, all three of them together in the second of two nocturns at Matins."
• "The original nocturnal character of Matins is still indicated by the universal custom of the West of dividing the hour into “nocturns”; this term is even used in the Ambrosian Rite, the Matins of which is quite different from that of the Roman and Monastic Rites."