First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
requiem
requiem
noun re·qui·em \ˈre-kwē-əm also ˈrā- or ˈrē-\
: a Christian religious ceremony for a dead person
: a piece of music for a requiem
Full Definition of REQUIEM
1
: a mass for the dead
2
a : a solemn chant (as a dirge) for the repose of the dead b : something that resembles such a solemn chant
3
a : a musical setting of the mass for the dead b : a musical composition in honor of the dead
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Examples of REQUIEM
- <the choir will sing Mozart's Requiem>
Origin of REQUIEM
Middle English, from Latin (first word of the introit of the requiem mass), accusative of requies rest, from re- + quies quiet, rest — more at while
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