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prothalamion

noun
pro·​tha·​la·​mi·​on | \ ˌprō-thə-ˈlā-mē-ən How to pronounce prothalamion (audio) , -ˌän\
variants: or prothalamium \ ˌprō-​thə-​ˈlā-​mē-​əm How to pronounce prothalamium (audio) \
plural prothalamia\ ˌprō-​thə-​ˈlā-​mē-​ə How to pronounce prothalamia (audio) \

Definition of prothalamion

: a song in celebration of a marriage

Did You Know?

In 1595, the newly-wed Edmund Spenser wrote a poem to his young bride. He gave this poem the title Epithalamion, borrowing a Greek word for a song or poem in honor of a bride and bridegroom. "Epithalamion," which eventually became established as an English word, can be traced to Greek words that mean "upon the bridal chamber." A year later, Spencer was inspired to write another nuptial poem - this time in celebration of the marriages of the Earl of Worcester's two daughters. But since the ceremonies had not yet taken place, he did not want to call it an epithalamion. After some reflection, Spencer decided to separate "epi-" from "thalamion" and wed the latter with "pro-" ("before"), inventing a word that would become established in the language with the meaning "a song in celebration of a marriage."

First Known Use of prothalamion

1597, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for prothalamion

New Latin, from Greek pro- + -thalamion (as in epithalamion)

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