anthem

Noun
Synonyms: hymn

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  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)Synonyms: hymn
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Anthem \An"them\ ([a^]n"th[e^]m), n. [OE. antym, antefne, AS. antefen, fr. LL. antiphona, fr. Gr. 'anti`fwna, neut. pl. of 'anti`fwnon antiphon, or anthem, n. neut., from 'anti`fwnos sounding contrary, returning a sound; 'anti` over against + fwnh` 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. [1913 Webster]

2.A song or hymn of praise or devotion; as, a national anthem. --Milton. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Anthem \An"them\, v. t. To celebrate with anthems. [Poet.] [1913 Webster]

Sweet birds antheming the morn. --Keats. [1913 Webster]

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