dithyrambic

[dith-uh-ram-bik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a dithyramb, or an impassioned oration.

2. wildly irregular in form.

3. wildly enthusiastic.

Other Word Forms

• dithyrambically adverb
• undithyrambic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dithyrambic¹

1595–1605; < Latin dithyrambicus < Greek dithyrambikós. See dithyramb, -ic

Example Sentences

When Charles and Margaret finally meet again, and then still again, Mackenzie’s prose grows lyrical, dithyrambic.

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French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius reacted to the peaceful outcome of the election in dithyrambic terms, speaking of a ''rebirth'' of the West African nation.

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When the sins of Catholics have to be condemned he is quite dithyrambic; but when he has to censure the sins of Protestants he displays a most touching tenderness.

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At the darkest hour he seized the reins without orders and without reference to seniority, and began to reconstruct the force and the spirit of the shattered army by wise administration and dithyrambic proclamations.

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Of late years he has exhibited an exuberant admiration for Mozart, upon whose "Don Juan" he has written a pamphlet abounding in expressions of the most dithyrambic description.

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