English Words Note. 4

el·e·gy

noun \ˈe-lə-jē\

plural el·e·gies

Definition of ELEGY

1

: a poem in elegiac couplets

2

a : a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation especially for one who is dead b : something (as a speech) resembling such a song or poem

3

a : a pensive or reflective poem that is usually nostalgic or melancholy b : a short pensive musical composition

See elegy defined for English-language learners »

See elegy defined for kids »

Examples of ELEGY

1. <“O Captain! My Captain!” is Walt Whitman's elegy on the death of President Lincoln>

Origin of ELEGY

Latin elegia poem in elegiac couplets, from Greek elegeia, elegeion, from elegos song of mourning

First Known Use: 1501

Related to ELEGY

Synonyms: dirge, lament, requiem, threnody

 

information from http://www.merriam-webster.com