hymeneal

[ hahy-muh-nee-uhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to marriage.

noun

1. Archaic. marriage song.

hymeneal

/ ˌhaɪmɛˈniːəl /

adjective

1. poetic.
   of or relating to marriage

noun

1. a wedding song or poem

Other Words From

• unhy·me·neal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymeneal¹

1595–1605; < Latin hymenae ( us ) (< Greek hyménaios wedding song, equivalent to Hymen Hymen + -aios pertaining to) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

There lies the fatal weakness of all this frenzy over liberty and this hymeneal chanting of sky and ocean; it has no basis in the homely facts of the heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Since that time their happiness has never had the least interruption; except from the hymeneal expedition of my friend Henry.

From Project Gutenberg

The arena allotted for this hymeneal contest, was a level space in front of the village-inn, and near the centre of a grass-plat, reserved in the midst of the village denominated "the green."

From Project Gutenberg

She listened to the hymeneal god, who, attended by nymphs, stepped forward and, to the accompaniment of sweet music, sang a wedding-song specially composed for the occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

This contribution of Swinburne's,—the hymeneal touch,—and Murray's discovery that the word God could be introduced with effect anywhere, went like wildfire over England.

From Project Gutenberg