Anacreontic

American  

[uh-nak-ree-on-tik] / əˌnæk riˈɒn tɪk /

adjective

1. of or in the manner of Anacreon.

2. convivial and amatory.

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noun

1. anacreontic, an Anacreontic poem.

Anacreontic British  

/ əˌnækrɪˈɒntɪk /

adjective

1. in the manner of the Greek lyric poet Anacreon (?572–?488 _bc ), noted for his short songs celebrating love and wine

2. (of verse) in praise of love or wine; amatory or convivial

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noun

1. an Anacreontic poem

Other Word Forms

• Anacreontically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of Anacreontic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin Anacreōnticus, equivalent to Anacreōnt- (from Greek Anakreōnt-, stem of Anakréōn ) Anacreon + -icus adjective suffix; see -ic

Example Sentences

And before Key’s “Banner” the most well-known version of “The Anacreontic Song” was the 1798 “Adams and Liberty,” an attempt to win support for John Adams during his contentious Presidency.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 29, 2016

He wrote the poem “In Defense of Fort McHenry,” which was later set to the tune of a British song called “The Anacreontic Song” and eventually became the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

When he saw the American flag still waving at dawn — an improbable victory — Key penned the stirring “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” with a rhyme scheme matched to the Anacreontic Song.

From New York Times • Jun. 27, 2014

The Anacreontic Society faded out, I think toward the end of the 18th century,” White said.

From Washington Post

Unlike the Anacreontic in praise of the grape,—song suggestive chiefly of bacchanal revels and loose jollity,—the verse which extols "the cup that cheers, but not inebriates," brings to mind home comforts and a happy household.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 04, February, 1858 by Various