E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mass.
High Mass or “Grand Mass” is sung by choristers, and celebrated with the assistance of a deacon and sub-deacon.
1
Low Mass is simply read without singing; there is one between these two called the “chanted mass,” in which the service is chanted by the priest.
2
Besides these there are a number of special masses, as the mass of the Beatæ, mass of the Holy Ghost, mass of the dead, mass of a saint, mass of scarcity, dry mass, votive mass, holiday mass, Ambrosian mass, Gallic mass, mass of the presanctified for Good Friday, missa Mosara’bum, etc. etc.
