Dithyrambs

/ˈdɪθɪræmz/ noun

Definition

Plural of dithyramb; wild, passionate choral songs or poems, especially those performed at ancient Greek festivals or any modern enthusiastic outburst of speech.

Etymology

English plural of dithyramb, which was adopted into English from the Greek dithyrambos. The -s ending is the standard English plural marker, while the singular dithyramb had already been anglicized from the Greek term.

Kelly Says

Dithyrambs became so famous in ancient theater that they actually helped spawn Greek tragedy and comedy as distinct art forms—these wild songs were the ancestors of all Western drama! Modern critics still use 'dithyrambs' to describe overly enthusiastic reviews or gushing praise.

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