versicle n 1: a short verse said or sung by a priest or minister in public worship and followed by a response from the congregation
Versicle \Ver"si*cle\, n. [L. versiculus, dim. of versus. See {Verse}.] A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and followed by a response from the people. [1913 Webster] The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles. --Strype. [1913 Webster] Versicolor