ANTHEM

AN'THEM, noun [Gr. against, and a hymn, from to sing. See Hymn.]A hymn sung in alternate parts; but in modern usage, a sacred tune or piece of music set to words, taken from the psalms or other parts of the scriptures, first introduced into church service in Elizabeth's reign.

---

anthem. anthem, song.

---

anthem. Anthem, n. a holy or divine song, a kind of hymn

---

An″them (ăn″thĕm), n. [[OE. antym, antefne, AS. antefen, fr. LL. antiphona, fr. Gr. αντἴφωνα, neut. pl. of αντἴφωνον antiphon, or anthem, n. neut., from αντἴφωνοσ sounding contrary, returning a sound; αντἴ over against + φωνή sound, voice: the anthem being sung by the choristers alternately, one half-choir answering the other: cf. OF. anthaine, anteine, antieune, F. antienne. See Antiphon.]] 1. 1. Formerly, a hymn sung in alternate parts, in present usage, a selection from the Psalms, or other parts of the Scriptures or the liturgy, set to sacred music.
2. 2. A song or hymn of praise. Milton.