requiem

re·qui·em

noun \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

1. <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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REQUIEM

Synonyms

dirge, elegy, lament, threnody

Related Words

taps; elegiac (also elegiacal), monody

Near Antonyms

encomium, eulogy, paean, panegyric

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue