different between litany vs thanksgiving

English

Etymology

From Old French letanie, from Ancient Greek ???????? (litaneía, “prayer”), from ???? (lit?, “prayer, entreaty”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?l?t?ni/

Noun

litany (plural litanies)

1. A ritual liturgical prayer in which a series of prayers recited by a leader are alternated with responses from the congregation.
2. A prolonged or tedious list.
   • 1988, Prepared Foods (volume 157, issues 11-13, page 9)

     The litany of packaging innovations introduced to or popularized in the U.S. food market over the last generation seems endless: flexible aseptic packaging, barrier plastics, squeezables, lightweight glass, the retort pouch, […]

   • 2016 January 30, "America deserves more from presidential hopefuls," The National (retrieved 31 January 2016):

     There are, to be sure, some differences in how the candidates propose addressing this litany of concerns.

Derived terms

Translations

English

Etymology

thanks +? giving

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??æ?ks???v.??/, /??æ?ks???v.??/

Noun

thanksgiving (countable and uncountable, plural thanksgivings)

1. An expression of gratitude.
   • 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Land That Time Forgot Chapter IV

     The waters grew suddenly lighter, and my spirits rose accordingly. I shouted down to those below that I saw daylight ahead, and a great shout of thanksgiving reverberated through the ship. A moment later we emerged into sunlit water, and immediately I raised the periscope and looked about me upon the strangest landscape I had ever seen.

2. A short prayer said at meals; grace, a benediction.
3. A public celebration in acknowledgement of divine favour.

Translations