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dirgea lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɜːrdʒ/

Example Sentences

  • The bagpiper played a haunting dirge as the coffin was lowered into the ground.
  • My neighbor's karaoke sounds like a dirge for my eardrums every weekend.
  • The wind through the old church bells created a natural dirge.

dirge

NOUN

[/dɜːrdʒ/]

a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite

The choir sang a mournful dirge as the coffin was carried through the village.
💡 Concept

The choir sang a mournful dirge as the coffin was carried through the village.

Dear J gets a dirge - a mournful funeral song
🧠 Mnemonic

Dear J gets a dirge - a mournful funeral song

As ocean waves surge, mourning voices merge in a dirge.
🎵 Rhyme

As ocean waves surge, mourning voices merge in a dirge.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɜːrdʒ/
🇬🇧 UK/dɜːdʒ/

🌳Etymology

Rootdirige

Origin

From Latin 'dirige' (imperative form of 'dirigere,' meaning 'to direct'), which was the opening word of the antiphon sung in the Office for the Dead in medieval Christian funeral services.

Breakdown

Latin 'dirige' (direct) → used as the name for the funeral chant → English 'dirge' (a mournful song or lament for the dead)

🎵Rhyme

surgemergepurgeverge
surge
merge
purge
verge

🔗Collocations

funeral dirge
sing a dirge
mournful dirge
dirge-like melody
play a dirge

📝Examples

The bagpiper played a haunting dirge as the coffin was lowered into the ground.

😄 Fun example

My neighbor's karaoke sounds like a dirge for my eardrums every weekend.

The wind through the old church bells created a natural dirge.

😄 Fun example

After hearing my cooking attempts, even the smoke alarm joined in with its own electronic dirge.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

lamentelegyrequiemthrenodyfuneral song

Antonyms

celebrationanthemhymn of joy

Related

mourningfuneralgriefsorrowmemorial

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