HOURS, HORÆ, in the Romish church, are certain prayers performed at stated times of the day; as matins, vespers, lauds, &c.—The lesser hours, are prime,
tierce, sixth, and none. They are called hours, or canonical hours, as being to be rehearsed at certain hours prescribed by the canons of that church, in commemoration of the mysteries accomplished at those hours. These hours were anciently also called course, curfus; F. Mabillon has a dissertation on them, entitled, De Curfu Gallicano.
The first constitution enjoining the observation of the canonical hours, is of the ninth century, being found in a capitular of Heito bishop of Basil directed to his curates, importing that the priests shall never be absent at the canonical hours either by day or night.