Lit"ur*gy (?), n.; pl. Liturgies (#). [F. liturgie, LL. liturgia, Gr. a public service, the public service of God, public worship; (assumed) , , belonging to the people, public (fr. , , the people) + the root of work. See Lay, a., and Work.]
An established formula for public worship, or the entire ritual for public worship in a church which uses prescribed forms; a formulary for public prayer or devotion. In the Roman Catholic Church it includes all forms and services in any language, in any part of the world, for the celebration of Mass.
© Webster 1913.