epithalamium

views updated May 29 2018

epithalamium a song or poem celebrating a marriage. The word is recorded from the late 16th century, and comes via Latin from Greek epithalamion, from epi ‘upon’ + thalamos ‘bridal chamber’.

epithalamium

views updated Jun 11 2018

epithalamium nuptial song. XVII. — L. — Gr. epithalámion, f. EPI- + thálamos bridal chamber.

epithalamium

views updated May 23 2018

epithalamium (Lat., Eng. epithalamion). A marriage song or wedding hymn. Vaughan Williams's cantata Epithalamion (1957) has words selected from Spenser's poem of that name.