prothalamion

American  

[proh-thuh-ley-mee-on, -uhn] / ˌproʊ θəˈleɪ miˌɒn, -ən /

noun

plural

prothalamia

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

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prothalamion British  

/ ˌprəʊθəˈleɪmɪən /

noun

1. a song or poem in celebration of a marriage

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Etymology

Origin of prothalamion

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

Explanation

A poem or song that's written or performed in honor of a marriage is called a prothalamion. Your beautiful singing voice may get you invited to present a prothalamion at your cousin's wedding. You can also call a celebratory marriage song a prothalamium, or one that's written especially for a bride an epithalamium. Whichever word you choose, it's fairly obscure and used in a purely literary context these days. Prothalamion comes from Greek roots: the "before" prefix pro-, and thalamos, "bridal chamber."

Example Sentences

Britain's Poet Laureate John Masefield, 69, who takes his job seriously,* turned out a little 25-line prothalamion on the approaching marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Philip.

From Time Magazine Archive