anthem
/ˈæn.θəm/ [ˈæn̪.θəm] noun, verb
Forms anthems antheming anthemed
- noun (archaic) Antiphon.
- noun A choral or vocal composition, often with a religious or political lyric. “The school's anthem sang of its many outstanding qualities, and it was hard to keep a straight face while singing.”
- noun A hymn of praise or loyalty. “The choir sang a selection of Christmas anthems at the service just before the big day.”
- noun (informal) A very popular song or track.
- verb (transitive, poetic) To celebrate with anthems.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English anteme, from Old English antefn, antefen and Old French antiene, anteine, anteivne, from Latin antiphōna, from Ancient Greek ἀντίφωνα (antíphōna), from ἀντί (antí, “over against”) + φωνή (phōnḗ, “voice, sound”). Doublet of antiphon.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Formerly, a hymn sung in alternate parts, in present usage, a selection from the Psalms, or other parts of the Scriptures or the liturgy, set to sacred music.
- noun A song or hymn of praise. Milton.
- verb To celebrate with anthems. [Poet.]
Etymology [OE. antym, antefne, AS. antefen, fr. LL. antiphona, fr. Gr. anthaine, anteine, antieune, F. antienne. See Antiphon.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “anthem”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details