Offertory
(Of"fer*to*ry) n.; pl. Offertories . [L. offertorium the place to which offerings were brought,
in LL. offertory: cf.F. offertoire.]
1. The act of offering, or the thing offered. [Obs. or R.] Bacon. Bp. Fell.
2. (R.C.Ch.) (a) An anthem chanted, or a voluntary played on the organ, during the offering and first
part of the Mass. (b) That part of the Mass which the priest reads before uncovering the chalice to
offer up the elements for consecration. (c) The oblation of the elements.
3. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) (a) The Scripture sentences said or sung during the collection of
the offerings. (b) The offerings themselves.
Offerture
(Of"fer*ture) n. [LL. offertura an offering.] Offer; proposal; overture. [Obs.]
More offertures and advantages to his crown.
Milton. Offhand
(Off"hand`) a. Instant; ready; extemporaneous; as, an offhand speech; offhand excuses. — adv.
In an offhand manner; as, he replied offhand.
Office
(Of"fice) n. [F., fr. L. officium, for opificium; ops ability, wealth, holp + facere to do or make.
See Opulent, Fact.]
1. That which a person does, either voluntarily or by appointment, for, or with reference to, others; customary
duty, or a duty that arises from the relations of man to man; as, kind offices, pious offices.
I would I could do a good office between you.
Shak. 2. A special duty, trust, charge, or position, conferred by authority and for a public purpose; a position of
trust or authority; as, an executive or judical office; a municipal office.
3. A charge or trust, of a sacred nature, conferred by God himself; as, the office of a priest under the
old dispensation, and that of the apostles in the new.
Inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.
Rom. xi. 13.
