elegy etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: elegie
  • Medieval Latin: elegia
  • Late Latin: elegia
  • Greek: elegeia

Meaning:

  • A poem expressing grief or sorrow, especially for the dead.

Origin:

The word "elegy" originated from the Greek term elegeia, which referred to a type of lyric poetry that was typically sung or recited at funerals or in commemoration of the deceased. Elegiac poetry often involves themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance.

The Greek elegeia is derived from the Greek word elegos, which means "lament" or "dirge." The root of elegos is the Proto-Indo-European term _*welg-*, which means "to cry out" or "to wail."

In Greek mythology, the elegy is associated with the goddess Elegy, who is said to be the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne (the goddess of memory). Elegy was believed to be the patron goddess of mourning and lamentation, and her name became synonymous with poems that expressed grief and sorrow.

The elegy has a long and rich history in literature, with examples dating back to ancient Greece. Notable elegiac poets include Sappho, Ovid, Propertius, and Tennyson.

elegy relate terms

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