anthem Hear it!

anthem definition

an·them (an′t̸həm)

noun

  1. Archaic a religious song sung antiphonally
  2. a religious choral song usually based on words from the Bible
  3. a song of praise or devotion, as to a nation, college, etc.

Etymology: ME antefne < OE antefn < ML antifona, antiphona < Gr antiphōna < antiphōnos, sounding back < anti-, over against + phōnē, voice: see phono-

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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