ˈtenəˌbrā, -ˌbrī, -(ˌ)brē noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Latin, darkness — more at temerity
: a church service observed during the final part of Holy Week in commemoration of the sufferings and death of Christ with the public chanting of psalms and the progressive extinguishing of all candles until only one remains burning behind or under the altar