nocturn

[nok-turn] /ˈnɒk tɜrn/
noun, Roman Catholic Church
1.
the office of matins, consisting of nine psalms and either three or nine lessons.
Origin
before 1150; Middle English nocturne < Medieval Latin nocturna, noun use of feminine of Latin nocturnus by night; replacing Old English noctern < Medieval Latin, as above
Examples from the web for nocturn
  • They are primarily nocturn al and use dens year-round, unlike other members of the canid family.
British Dictionary definitions for nocturn

nocturn

/ˈnɒktɜːn/
noun
1.
(RC Church) any of the main sections of the office of matins
Word Origin
C13: from Medieval Latin nocturna, from Latin nocturnus nocturnal, from nox night
Word Origin and History for nocturn
n.

a division of the office of matins, early 13c., from Old French nocturne "evening service; curfew," from Medieval Latin nocturna, "group of Psalms used in the nocturns," from Latin nocturnus (see nocturnal).