anthem
[an-thuh m]
- a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism: the national anthem of Spain; our college anthem.
- a piece of sacred vocal music, usually with words taken from the Scriptures.
- a hymn sung alternately by different sections of a choir or congregation.
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- to celebrate with or in an anthem.
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Origin of anthem
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for anthem
Contemporary Examples
“If BMW is ‘the ultimate driving machine,’ your Anthem is the ultimate differentiator,” writes Hogshead.
They might have played the Miss America anthem, “There She Is!”
“No Scrubs,” an anthem about self-respect on the dating market.
Beyoncé Is Our Indigo Girl: The Halcyon '90s and Feminism's Resurgence in Pop MusicAmanda Marcotte
August 26, 2014
She poses in another picture with Tucanes de Tijuana, a narcocorrido band that composed an anthem to Los Antrax.
Every hour, the anthem is played, followed by Orthodox priests intoning prayers and beseeching God not to forsake Ukraine.
Historical Examples
Handel's anthem was performed by 80 singers and 100 instrumentalists.
HandelEdward J. Dent
He could hear the music of the organ, and presently the choir began to sing an anthem.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
He ended the anthem, as he had commenced it, in the midst of a grave and solemn stillness.
The Last of the MohicansJames Fenimore Cooper
"Certainly not," returned Everard, and so the anthem was omitted.
Isabel LeicesterClotilda Jennings
I want to play the organ on Sunday morning, and he must let us do an anthem.
The Green CarnationRobert Smythe Hichens
anthem
- a song of loyalty or devotion, as to a nation or collegea national anthem
- a musical composition for a choir, usually set to words from the Bible, sung as part of a church service
- a religious chant sung antiphonally
- a popular rock or pop song
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Word Origin
Old English antemne, from Late Latin antiphōna antiphon
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for anthem
n.
Old English ontemn, antefn, "a composition (in prose or verse) sung antiphonally," from Late Latin antefana, from Greek antiphona "verse response" (see antiphon). Sense evolved to "a composition set to sacred music" (late 14c.), then "song of praise or gladness" (1590s). Used in reference to the English national song (technically, as OED points out, a hymn) and extended to those of other nations. Modern spelling is from late 16c., perhaps an attempt to make the word look more Greek.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper