dirge

Dirge — Dirge, n. [Contraction of Lat. dirige, direct thou (imperative of dirigere), the first word of a funeral hymn (Lat. transl. of Psalm v. 8) beginning, Dirige, Domine, in conspectu tuo vitam meam. See {Direct}, a., and cf. {Dirige}.] A piece of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Dirge — [də:dʒ] das; , s <aus gleichbed. engl. dirge, entstellt aus lat. Dirige, Domine »Lenke, Herr...«, dem Anfangswort einer mittelalterlichen Totenklage> engl. Bez. für Trauer , Klagegedicht, Klagelied …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

dirge — dirge·ful; dirge; …   English syllables

Dirge — (engl., spr. dördsch, entstanden aus lat.: Dirige, Domine Deus meus etc.), Grablied, Totenklage …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

dirge — index plaint Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

dirge — [də:dʒ US də:rdʒ] n [Date: 1400 1500; : Latin; Origin: dirige guide (the first word of a funeral song), from dirigere; DIRECT1] 1.) a slow sad song sung at a funeral 2.) a song or piece of music that is too slow and boring …   Dictionary of contemporary English

dirge — [ dɜrdʒ ] noun count a slow sad song often sung at a funeral …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

dirge — early 13c., dirige (current contracted form is from c.1400), from L. dirige direct! imperative of dirigere to direct, probably from antiphon Dirige, Domine, Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam, Direct, O Lord, my God, my way in thy sight, from… …   Etymology dictionary

dirge — [n] sad song chant, coronach, cry, death march, death song, elegy, funeral song, hymn, jeremiad, keen, lament, march, monody, requiem, threnody; concept 595 …   New thesaurus

dirge — ► NOUN 1) a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite. 2) a mournful song, piece of music, or sound. ORIGIN from Latin dirige! direct! , the first word of a psalm used in the Latin Office for the Dead …   English terms dictionary

dirge — [dʉrj] n. [ME < L dirige, imper. of dirigere, to DIRECT, the first word of an antiphon (Psalm 5:8) in the Office for the Burial of the Dead] 1. a funeral hymn 2. a slow, sad song, poem, or musical composition expressing grief or mourning;… …   English World dictionary