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elegy

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noun el·e·gy \ ˈe-lə-jē \

Definition of elegy

plural elegies
1 :a poem in elegiac couplets
2 a :a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation especially for one who is dead
b :something (such as a speech) resembling such a song or poem
3 a :a pensive or reflective poem that is usually nostalgic or melancholy
b :a short pensive musical composition

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Examples of elegy in a Sentence

  1. “O Captain! My Captain!” is Walt Whitman's elegy on the death of President Lincoln

Recent Examples of elegy from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elegy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of elegy

Latin elegia poem in elegiac couplets, from Greek elegeia, elegeion, from elegos song of mourning

elegy Synonyms

Synonyms
dirge, lament, requiem, threnody
Related Words
taps; elegiac (also elegiacal), monody
Near Antonyms
encomium, eulogy, paean, panegyric

Other Music Terms

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

ELEGY Defined for English Language Learners

elegy

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noun

Definition of elegy for English Language Learners

  • : a sad poem or song : a poem or song that expresses sorrow for someone who is dead

Learn More about elegy

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for elegy Spanish Central: Translation of elegy Nglish: Translation of elegy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of elegy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elegy

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Examples: elegy in a Sentence