English Meaning & Definitions
A mournful song, piece of music, or poem, typically performed as a memorial or rite for the dead.
- “The wind howled through the bare trees like a solemn dirge for the fallen soldiers.”
- “The church organist played a somber dirge as the casket was slowly carried down the aisle.”
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “dirge”.
Derived from the Middle English 'dirige', which comes from the Latin 'Dirige, Domine, Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam' ('Direct, O Lord, my God, my way in thy sight'), the opening words of the antiphon in the Roman Catholic Office of the Dead.
Think of 'dirge' as a 'dying urge'—a sad song sung when someone dies.
Frequently Asked Questions About “dirge”
1. What is the meaning of “dirge” in English?
In English, dirge (noun) is defined as: “A mournful song, piece of music, or poem, typically performed as a memorial or rite for the dead.”.
2. How do you use “dirge” in a sentence?
“The wind howled through the bare trees like a solemn dirge for the fallen soldiers.”
3. What are English synonyms of “dirge”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “dirge”?
Derived from the Middle English 'dirige', which comes from the Latin 'Dirige, Domine, Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam' ('Direct, O Lord, my God, my way in thy sight'), the opening words of the antiphon in the Roman Catholic Office of the Dead.
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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