Rom. Cath. Ch., Angl. Ch. /kear"ee ay' e lay"euh sawn', -son', -seuhn/ ; Gk. Orth. Ch. /kee"rddee e e le"ee sawn/
1. ( italics ) the brief petition "Lord, have mercy," used in various offices of the Greek Orthodox Church and of the Roman Catholic Church.
2. the brief response or petition in services in the Anglican Church, beginning with the words, "Lord, have mercy upon us."
3. Also called Kyrie . a musical setting of either of these.
[ 1300-50; ME kyrieleyson Kyrie eleison Kýrie eléeson Lord, have mercy ]