hymnody

From Old French hymnodie, from Latin hymnodia, from Ancient Greek ὑμνῳδία (humnōidía), from ὑμνῳδέω (humnōidéō, “I sing a hymn”), from ὕμνος (húmnos, “song of praise”) + ἀείδω (aeídō, “I sing”).

• (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /ˈhɪm.nə.di/

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hymnody (countable and uncountable, plural hymnodies)

1. (uncountable) The writing, composing, or singing of hymns or psalms.
   • 1721, Thomas Ken, edited by J. Wyat, The Works of the Right Reverend, Learned and Pious, Thomas Ken, D.D.‎, volume IV, Vrania: or, the Spouſe's Garden, page 448:

     Primeval Worſhip, Lord, retrieve, / For whoſe Decays the Faithful grieve, / For as thy Temple-Off'rings fall or riſe, / Hymnody chills or fires, Religion lives or dies.

2. (countable) The hymns of a particular church or of a particular time.
   • 1718, William Gordon, edited by J. Bettenham, An Apology for the Use of the English Liturgy and Worship‎, page 56:

     Therefore do we recite this Seraphick Theology delivered to us, that in that cæleſtial Hymnody we may communicate with the Heavenly Hoſt …