epithalamium
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of epithalamium
C17: from Latin, from Greek epithalamion marriage song, from thalamos bridal chamber
Explanation
An epithalamium is a special poem written in honor of a marriage. Many epithalamiums are addressed to brides on their wedding days. The poetic form called an epithalamium started in ancient Greece as a song that was sung to the bride and groom on their wedding night by a group of children. Greek and Roman poets, including the poet Sappho, developed the epithalamium, in some cases celebrating specific marriages, and the 16th century English poet Edmund Spenser wrote Epithalamium for his own bride. The word means "bridal song," epithalamion in Greek, from epi, "upon," and thalamos, "bridal chamber."
Vocabulary lists containing epithalamium
Poetry: Genres
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Reading: Literature - Poetry - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
EPITHALAMIUM, a wedding song Blubbery glubbery, Edith of Downton was Left at the altar, her Heart full of gloom; Quickly they wrote a new Epithalamium — Guess what they titled it?
From Washington Post • Jul. 16, 2015
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
