1. A liturgical prayer consisting of a series of petitions recited by a leader alternating with fixed responses by the congregation.
2. A repetitive or incantatory recital: "the litany of layoffs in recent months by corporate giants” ( Sylvia nasar).

1. A ritual liturgical prayer in which a series of prayers recited by a leader are alternated with responses from the congregation.
2. A prolonged or tedious account.

1. A solemn form of supplication in the public worship of various churches, in which the clergy and congregation join, the former leading and the latter responding in alternate sentences. it is usually of a penitential character.

1. primarily, a solemn prayer of supplication; a public or general supplication to god, especially in processions.
2. specifically, in liturgics, an appointed form of responsive prayer, used as part of a service or separately. the most important varieties have been the following:
3. hence any earnest supplication or prayer.
4. the same petitions with the following versicles or prayers and responses in the litany in the english book of common prayer, allowed to be omitted at discretion in the american book.
5. the same petitions with the following versicles and responses in the orders for morning and evening prayer.

1. a prayer consisting of a series of invocations by the priest with responses from the congregation
2. any long and tedious address or recital