dirge

[ durj ]

noun

1. a funeral song or tune, or one expressing mourning in commemoration of the dead.
2. any composition resembling such a song or tune in character, as a poem of lament for the dead or solemn, mournful music:

   Tennyson's dirge for the Duke of Wellington.

3. a mournful sound resembling a dirge:

   The autumn wind sang the dirge of summer.

4. Ecclesiastical. the office of the dead, or the funeral service as sung.

dirge

/ dɜːdʒ /

noun

1. a chant of lamentation for the dead
2. the funeral service in its solemn or sung forms
3. any mourning song or melody

Derived Forms

• ˈdirgeful, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dirge¹

1175–1225; Middle English dir ( i ) ge < Latin: direct, syncopated variant of dīrige (imperative of dīrigere ), first word of the antiphon sung in the Latin office of the dead (Psalm V, 8)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dirge¹

C13: changed from Latin dīrigē direct (imperative), opening word of the Latin antiphon used in the office of the dead

Example Sentences

Adding to the movie’s throwback mood is Wyatt Garfield’s grainy 16mm photography and Umberto Smerilli’s striking dirge of a score, both of which go a long way toward establishing an unforgiving, lose-yourself metropolis, which occasionally put me in mind of Roman Polanski’s “The Tenant.”

From Los Angeles Times

A psychedelic dirge but also a love song, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” captured a 1960s spirit of yin-yang duality — much like the band’s name itself.

From New York Times

But after he warns, “Don’t tell no lie about me/And I won’t tell truths about you,” the track changes to a tolling, droning trap dirge and Lamar’s delivery becomes biting, nasal and percussive.

From New York Times

The Irish band Lankum connects the fatalistic, death-haunted side of Celtic tradition to something like black metal in this nine-minute dirge about dying for love.

From New York Times

Swift’s relationship with “The Favourite” actor — old news since she’s begun dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — was top of mind earlier this week due to the release of her vault track “You’re Losing Me,” which many fans interpreted as a dirge about her time with Alwyn or a couple growing apart after a pregnancy loss.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• elegy
• hymn