Word of the Day - 06/23/26
pericope
/pəˈɹɪkəpi/(n.): a selection or extract from a book
The speaker carefully selected a powerful pericope from the ancient philosopher's work to conclude their address.
(n.): a selection or extract from The Book; Scripture to be read in public worship or a book containing such passages
The lectionary indicated that the pericope for Sunday's service would be from the Gospel of John.
Word Origin
The word 'pericope' originates from Ancient Greek περικοπή (perikopḗ). It is formed from two parts: περί (peri), meaning "around" or "about", and κοπή (kopḗ), meaning "a cutting" or "a section", which comes from the verb κόπτειν (kóptein), meaning "to cut". Thus, 'pericope' literally means "a cutting around" or "a section cut out", referring to an extract or a distinct passage, especially from a sacred text.
Words sharing the Greek prefix 'peri-' include 'perimeter' (peri- + meter, measure), 'period' (peri- + hodos, way), 'periphery' (peri- + pherein, to carry), and 'periscope' (peri- + skopein, to look). Other words that share the 'kop-' (to cut) root from Greek include 'apocope' (apo- + koptein, cutting off) and 'syncope' (syn- + koptein, cutting together or short).