Anacreontic

American  

[uh-nak-ree-on-tik] / əˌnæk riˈɒn tɪk /

adjective

1. of or in the manner of Anacreon.

2. convivial and amatory.

---

noun

1. anacreontic, an Anacreontic poem.

Anacreontic British  

/ əˌnækrɪˈɒntɪk /

adjective

1. in the manner of the Greek lyric poet Anacreon (?572–?488 _bc ), noted for his short songs celebrating love and wine

2. (of verse) in praise of love or wine; amatory or convivial

---

noun

1. an Anacreontic poem

Other Word Forms

• Anacreontically adverb

Etymology

Origin of Anacreontic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin Anacreōnticus, equivalent to Anacreōnt- (from Greek Anakreōnt-, stem of Anakréōn ) Anacreon + -icus adjective suffix; see -ic

Example Sentences

This was not a “drinking song” but, rather, an intentionally challenging piece ritualistically performed at each meeting of the Anacreontic Society since its composition for that purpose in the 18th century.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2022

And before Key’s “Banner” the most well-known version of “The Anacreontic Song” was the 1798 “Adams and Liberty,” an attempt to win support for John Adams during his contentious Presidency.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 29, 2016

He wrote the poem “In Defense of Fort McHenry,” which was later set to the tune of a British song called “The Anacreontic Song” and eventually became the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

A later congressional librarian believed it was a military tune of obscure origins; others attributed it to Samuel Arnold, who had published a volume of Anacreontic melodies.

From New York Times • Jun. 27, 2014

Fontaine has prettily set it off, and an anonymous writer has composed it in Latin Anacreontic verses; and at length our Prior has given it with equal gaiety and freedom.

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 by Disraeli, Isaac