Hymnody

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈhɪm.nÉ™.di/

Origin

From Old French hymnodie, from Latin hymnodia, from Ancient Greek ὑμνῳδία, from ὑμνῳδέω (humnōideō, "I sing a hymn"), from ὕμνος (humnos, "song of praise") + ἀείδω (aeidō, "I sing").

Full definition of hymnody

Noun

1. (uncountable) The writing, composing, or singing of hymns or psalms.
• 1721, Thomas Ken, "Vrania: or, the SpouÅ¿e's Garden", The Works of the Right Reverend, Learned and Pious, Thomas Ken, D.D., Vol. IV, J. Wyat, page 448,Primeval WorÅ¿hip, Lord, retrieve,
  For whoſe Decays the Faithful grieve,
  For as thy Temple-Off'rings fall or riſe,
  Hymnody chills or fires, Religion lives or dies.
2. (countable) The hymns of a particular church or of a particular time.
• 1718, William Gordon, An Apology for the Use of the English Liturgy and Worship, J. Bettenham, page 56Therefore do we recite this Seraphick Theology delivered to us, that in that cæleÅ¿tial Hymnody we may communicate with the Heavenly Host …

Related terms

• hymn
• hymnal
• hymnodist
• hymnology