epithalamium

noun

ep·​i·​tha·​la·​mi·​um ˌe-pə-thə-ˈlā-mē-əm How to pronounce epithalamium (audio)
variants or epithalamion
plural epithalamiums or epithalamia ˌe-pə-thə-ˈlā-mē-ə How to pronounce epithalamium (audio)
: a song or poem in honor of a bride and bridegroom
epithalamic adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin & Greek; Latin epithalamium, from Greek epithalamion, from epi- + thalamos room, bridal chamber; perhaps akin to Greek tholos rotunda

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of epithalamium was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near epithalamium

Cite this Entry

“Epithalamium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epithalamium. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on epithalamium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!