Dies Irae

American  

[dee-ays eer-ay] / ˈdi eɪs ˈɪər eɪ /

noun

1. a Latin hymn on the Day of Judgment, commonly sung in a Requiem Mass.

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Dies Irae British  

/ ˈdiːeɪz ˈɪəraɪ /

noun

1. Christianity a famous Latin hymn of the 13th century, describing the Last Judgment. It is used in the Mass for the dead

2. a musical setting of this hymn, usually part of a setting of the Requiem

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Etymology

Origin of Dies Irae

literally: day of wrath

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Dies Irae

Still, the books wouldn’t have to face that Dies Irae for a while yet.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 30, 2020

But whereas Liszt opens with a Dies Irae melody, Mr. Adams aims for something funky and distinctly American.

From New York Times ● Mar. 6, 2019

Throughout, Adès marvelously distorts the Dies Irae motif that has been used throughout the history of Western music as death’s awful sound.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2017

Even if not every section is equally successful – the Dies Irae registers as surprisingly jolly for the day of judgment – the best is bold and distinctive.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 6, 2011

Supremacy of the Dies Irae, its many admirers.

From The Thirteenth Greatest of Centuries by James J. (James Joseph) Walsh

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