Word of the day: Epithalamium

Epithalamium

[ep-ə-thə-LEY-mee-əm]

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, 16th century

A song or poem celebrating a marriage.

Examples of epithalamium in a sentence

"In place of a traditional epithalamium, the groom sang a Beatles love song to his spouse on the day of their wedding."

"In classical theater comedies, which often end in a wedding, an epithalamium is sometimes used to close the performance."

About Epithalamium

“Epithalamium” is borrowed directly from Latin, where the word is based on the ancient Greek “ἐπιθαλάμιον” (“epithalamion”), meaning “bridal song.”

Did you Know?

In ancient Greece, an epithalamium was a song sung at the door to the marriage chamber in celebration of the bride and groom, to bless the union and bring the wedded couple happiness. Over time, the word came to describe both a marriage song and a poem celebrating a marriage. Some of the most famous poets of ancient Greece, including Sappho and Pindar, are remembered for their epithalamiums. In the Italian Renaissance, it was a wedding tradition for celebrants to be honored with an epithalamium printed and delivered to them. Many of Shakespeare’s comedic dramas also end in an epithalamium to honor a happy wedding.