from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Liturgy \Lit"ur*gy\ (l[i^]t"[u^]r*j[y^]), n.; pl. {Liturgies}
(l[i^]t"[u^]r*j[i^]z). [F. liturgie, LL. liturgia, Gr.
leitoyrgi`a a public service, the public service of God,
public worship; (assumed) le`i:tos, lei^tos, belonging to the
people, public (fr. lao`s, lew`s, the people) + the root of
'e`rgon work. See {Lay}, a., and {Work}.]
An established formula for public worship, or the entire
ritual for public worship in a church which uses prescribed
forms; a formulary for public prayer or devotion. In the
Roman Catholic Church it includes all forms and services in
any language, in any part of the world, for the celebration
of Mass.
[1913 Webster]