Domine

Domine is the Latin vocative form of Dominus, meaning “O Lord.” It is used to address God directly in prayers, hymns, and liturgical texts.

The base noun Dominus means “master” or “lord.” In Latin grammar, the related forms include Dominus (nominative singular), Domine (vocative singular), Domini (genitive singular or nominative plural), Domino (dative or ablative), and Dominum (accusative). The vocative Domine appears whenever the speaker directly appeals to the Lord.

In liturgical and religious contexts, Domine occurs frequently in Latin prayers and chants. Typical phrases include “Domine, exaudi orationem meam” (O Lord, hear my prayer) and the well-known prayer fragment “Domine, non sum dignus” (Lord, I am not worthy), often recited by the faithful before receiving Communion in Western rites. The form is also encountered in Gregorian chant and various Latin devotional texts.

Beyond its religious use, Domine is primarily a linguistic and liturgical term. It may appear in scholarly discussions of Latin theology or in translations and quotations of Latin prayers. It is not commonly used as a general proper noun outside religious or historical contexts.

See also: Dominus, Latin liturgy, Gregorian chant.