Definition

A song or poem written to celebrate a wedding or the marriage of a couple.

Example

The poet composed a beautiful prothalamium to honor the upcoming wedding of his friends.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a prothalamium?

No, I haven't! What is it?

It's a kind of poem that celebrates a wedding before it happens.

That sounds beautiful! I love the idea of a pre-wedding celebration.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Prothalamium is formed from "pro-" (meaning before) and "thalamus" (from Greek "thalamos", meaning chamber or room, often referring to a bridal chamber). The word refers to a poem or song composed in honor of a couple before their wedding, thus celebrating the time before the marriage.

Memory Tip

Think of 'before' ('pro-') a wedding and a 'chamber' ('thalamos') where a couple will celebrate their union. This helps you remember that a prothalamium is a celebration before the marriage.

Visually Confused Words