coronach

[ kawr-uh-nuhkh, kor- ]

noun

1. (in Scotland and Ireland) a song or lamentation for the dead; dirge.

coronach

/ ˈkɒrənəx; -nək /

noun

1. a dirge or lamentation for the dead

Word History and Origins

Origin of coronach¹

1490–1500; < Scots Gaelic corranach, Irish coránach dirge

Word History and Origins

Origin of coronach¹

C16: from Scottish Gaelic corranach; related to Irish rānadh a crying

Example Sentences

Come, pipes, sound A crooning coronach round, Till hill and hollow glen and shadowed lake o’erflow With welling music of our woe.

From Project Gutenberg

On one grave a young woman was rocking herself to and fro, wailing with a sound like the Highland coronach, but longer and more despairing.

From Project Gutenberg

Then a pause, and anon the coronach or wail for the dead.

From Project Gutenberg

It were pity to deny my delicate cousin the luxury of a coronach over the swollen corpse of her minion!’

From Project Gutenberg

The open door will invite them into the sanctuary of peace, and they will croon the coronach of their woe in the holy place.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elegy
• hymn