Can"ti*cle (?), n.; pl. Canticles (#). [L. canticulum a little song, dim. of canticum song, fr. cantus a singing, fr. coner to sing. See Chant.]
1.
A song; esp. a little song or hymn.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
2. pl.
The Song of Songs or Song of Solomon, one of the books of the Old Testament.
3.
A canto or division of a poem
[Obs.]
Spenser.
4.
A psalm, hymn, or passage from the Bible, arranged for chanting in church service.
© Webster 1913.