Adjacent Words

Anthem definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

AN'THEM, n. [Gr. against, and a hymn, from to sing. See Hymn.]
A hymn sung in alternate parts; but in modern usage, a sacred tune or piece of music set to words, taken from the psalms or other parts of the scriptures, first introduced into church service in Elizabeth's reign.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
2: a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation) [syn: hymn, anthem]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English antem, from Old English antefn, from Late Latin antiphona, from Late Greek antiph?na, plural of antiph?non, from Greek, neuter of antiph?nos responsive, from anti- + ph?n? sound — more at ban Date: before 12th century 1. a. a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively b. a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the Scriptures 2. a song or hymn of praise or gladness 3. a usually rousing popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement, or point of view <anthems of teenage angst> • anthemic adjective

Britannica Concise

Choral composition with English words used in church services. It developed in the mid-16th cent. as the Anglican version of the Catholic Latin motet. The full anthem is for unaccompanied chorus throughout; the verse anthem employs one or more soloists, and generally instrumental accompaniment. Both often employ antiphonal singing, the alternation of two half-choirs ("anthem" derives from "antiphon"). W. Byrd, T. Tallis, H. Purcell, and G. F. Handel wrote well-known anthems. A national anthem is the national patriotic song of a country, ideally sung chorally by its citizens.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 an elaborate choral composition usu. based on a passage of scripture for (esp. Anglican) church use. 2 a solemn hymn of praise etc., esp. = national anthem. 3 a composition sung antiphonally. Etymology: OE antefn, antifne f. LL antiphona ANTIPHON

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Anthem An"them, n. [OE. antym, antefne, AS. antefen, fr. LL. antiphona, fr. Gr. ?, neut. pl. of ? antiphon, or anthem, n. neut., from ? sounding contrary, returning a sound; ? over against + ? sound, voice: the anthem being sung by the choristers alternately, one half-choir answering the other: cf. OF. anthaine, anteine, antieune, F. antienne. See Antiphon.] 1. 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. 2. A song or hymn of praise. --Milton.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Anthem An"them, v. t. To celebrate with anthems. [Poet.] Sweet birds antheming the morn. --Keats. ||

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(anthems) An anthem is a song which is used to represent a particular nation, society, or group and which is sung on special occasions. The band played the Czech anthem. N-COUNT see also national anthem

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Hymn, divine song.

Moby Thesaurus

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