responsal

plural responsals

1. obsoleteOne who is answerable or responsible.

   Anatolius being put into that See in the room of Flavianus, by the influence of Dioſcorus, (vvhoſe Reſponſal he had been) and having favoured the Eutychian Faction, Pope Leo might thence have had a fair colour to diſavovv him as uncapable of that Function and Dignity, he being ſo obnoxious; […]

   a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “[The VI. [Supposition] that in Fact the Roman Bishops Continually from Saint Peter’s Time have Enjoyed and Exercised this Sovereign Power]”, in J[ohn] Tillotson, editor, A Treatise of the Pope’s Supremacy. […], London: […] Miles Flesher, for Brabazon Aylmer, […], published 1680, →OCLC, page 334

2. obsoleteA liturgical response.

   After some short prayers and responsals, the mass-priest begs,

   1674, Daniel Brevint, Saul and Samuel at Endor

3. A proctor for a monastery.

comparative more responsal · superlative most responsal

1. obsoleteanswerable or responsible

   Christ is responsal and law-biding

   1637 September 7, Samuel Rutherford, letter to Lord Lindsay