prothalamion

[ proh-thuh-ley-mee-on, -uhn ]

noun

, plural pro·tha·la·mi·a [proh-th, uh, -, ley, -mee-, uh].

1. a song or poem written to celebrate a marriage.

prothalamion

/ ˌprəʊθəˈleɪmɪən /

noun

1. a song or poem in celebration of a marriage

Word History and Origins

Origin of prothalamion¹

Coined by Edmund Spenser in 1597; pro- ² + (epi)thalamion;

Word History and Origins

Origin of prothalamion¹

C16: from Greek pro- before + thalamos marriage; coined by Edmund Spenser, on the model of epithalamion

Example Sentences

It is a bridal ode (Prothalamion), to celebrate the marriage of two daughters of the Earl of Worcester, written late in 1596.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the minor poems of Spenser the most delightful were his Prothalamion and Epithalamion.

From Project Gutenberg

The Prothalamion contains a final record of his disappointments in England.

From Project Gutenberg