Definition of: gloria

(glôr′ē·ə, glō′rē·ə) noun
1. Eccl. A hymn or ascription of praise to God; a doxology.
2. Eccl. Usually cap. a A movement of the mass, following the Kyrie, during which the Gloria in excelsis is sung, b In the Anglican and some other churches, a similar section in the Eucharist.
3. A musical setting for a gloria, especially the Gloria in excelsis.
4. A gloriole; glory.
5. An ornament for the head in imitation of a gloriole.
6. A mixture of wool and silk or similar material, used as a substitute for silk in covering umbrellas and in dressmaking. [<L, glory]