Plural of breviary; books containing shortened versions of prayers, hymns, and readings used in Christian religious services.
From Latin 'breviarium' (a summary or abridgment), derived from 'brevis' meaning 'short,' referring to books containing shortened liturgical texts for clergy to use daily.
Medieval monks were incredibly practical—they created breviaries so priests could carry all their daily prayers in one portable book instead of hauling around multiple massive manuscripts to church services.
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