anthem
/ˈæn.θəm/ [ˈæn̪.θəm]
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.91 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "The school's anthem sang of its many outstanding qualities, and it was hard to keep a straight face while singing."
- "The choir sang a selection of Christmas anthems at the service just before the big day."
- "In May 2000, they even finally cracked the UK top ten when they teamed up with Paul Van Dyk on the trance anthem "The Riddle"..."
- "[T]hou shalt hear / Distant harvest-carols clear; / Rustle of the reaped corn; / Sweet birds antheming the morn: [...]"
Etymology
From Middle English anteme, from Old English antefn, antefen and Old French antiene, anteine, anteivne, from Latin antiphōna, from Ancient Greek ἀντίφωνα (antíphōna), from ἀντί (antí, “over against”) + φωνή (phōnḗ, “voice, sound”). Doublet of antiphon.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *bʰeh₂-, anteme, antefn, antiene, antiphōna, ἀντίφωνα
Regional Pronunciation
- British English: /ˈæn.θəm/ [ˈæn̪.θəm]