What does "responsory" mean?

Responsory: (Eccl.) (a) The answer of the people to the priest in alternate speaking, in church service. (b) A versicle sung in answer to the priest, or as a refrain. Which, if should repeat again, would turn my answers into responsories, and beget another liturgy. Milton.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Eccl.) An antiphonary; a response book.

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