anthem English · revision 14959

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 899|origins=la-lat antiphōna}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈæn.θəm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|antem]], [[inh|ang|antefn]], also [[m|ang|ontemn]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|la-lat|antefana]], an alteration, influenced by [[m|la-lat|ante|t=before]], of [[m|la-lat|antiphōna|t=antiphon]] (see [[antiphon]], a doublet),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) itself from Greek.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) The spelling with th began in the 16th century, perhaps as a mistaken attempt to restore a Greek original;^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) the th is unetymological and later changed the pronunciation, as in [[author]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Verses sung antiphonally, in alternate parts: before 899, in Alfred's translation of Bede.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A sacred composition, usually from the Bible, set to music is from about 1386,^(OED 1989) or the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) A song of praise or gladness is from 1591,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the word came to be used of the English national song, technically a hymn, and of those of other nations.^(Etymonline) The verb, to celebrate in an anthem, is from 1628.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) A rock song that works as a rallying cry is also an anthem.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 899 – antefn, an antiphon.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1386 – a sacred composition.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1591 – a song of praise.^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – the spelling anthem.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1628 – to anthem (verb).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A song of loyalty or praise, as for a nation: ''a national anthem''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A choral composition, usually set to words from the Bible, sung in a church service.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A religious chant sung antiphonally.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A popular rock or pop song with wide appeal.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[anthemic]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[antiphon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}