1. (n.)Kyrie eleison the brief petition or response beginning with the words “Lord, have mercy” used in various offices of the Greek Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, and RomanCatholic Church.
Etymology: (1300–50; ME kyrieleyson < ML, LL Kyrie eleīson < LGk Kýrie eléēson Lord, have mercy)
Definition of 'kyrie eleison'
Webster Dictionary
1. kyrie eleison greek words, meaning "Lord, have mercy upon us," used in the Mass, the breviary offices, the litany of the saints, etc
1. kyrie eleison means "Lord have mercy upon us," and with Christe Eleison, "Christ have mercy upon us," occurs in all Greek liturgies, in the Roman Mass, and in the English Prayer Book, where it forms the "lesser litany."