Word Study
epithalamium
CIDE DICTIONARY
epithalamium, n. [L., fr. Gr. , orig. an adj., nuptial; 'epi` upon, at + bride chamber.].
A nuptial song, or poem in honor of the bride and bridegroom. [1913 Webster]
"The kind of poem which was called epithalamium . . . sung when the bride was led into her chamber." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
epithalamium, n. (pl. epithalamiums or epithalamia) a song or poem celebrating a marriage.
Derivative
epithalamial adj. epithalamic adj.
Etymology
L f. Gk epithalamion (as EPI-, thalamos bridal chamber)
ROGET THESAURUS
epithalamium
Marriage
N marriage, matrimony, wedlock, union, intermarriage, miscegenation, the bonds of marriage, vinculum matrimonii, nuptial tie, married state, coverture, bed, cohabitation, match, betrothment, wedding, nuptials, Hymen, bridal, espousals, spousals, leading to the altar, nuptial benediction, epithalamium, sealing, torch of Hymen, temple of Hymen, hymeneal altar, honeymoon, bridesmaid, bridesman, best man, bride, bridegroom, married man, married woman, married couple, neogamist, Benedict, partner, spouse, mate, yokemate, husband, man, consort, baron, old man, good man, wife of one's bosom, helpmate, rib, better half, gray mare, old woman, old lady, good wife, goodwife, feme, feme coverte, squaw, lady, matron, matronage, matronhood, man and wife, wedded pair, Darby and Joan, spiritual wife, monogamy, bigamy, digamy, deuterogamy, trigamy, polygamy, mormonism, levirate, spiritual wifery, spiritual wifeism, polyandrism, Turk, bluebeard, unlawful marriage, left-handed marriage, morganatic marriage, ill- assorted marriage, mesalliance, mariage de convenance, marriage broker, matrimonial agency, matrimonial agent, matrimonial bureau, matchmaker, schatchen, married, one, one bone and one flesh, marriageable, nubile, engaged, betrothed, affianced, matrimonial, marital, conjugal, connubial, wedded, nuptial, hymeneal, spousal, bridal, the gray mare the better horse, a world-without-end bargain, marriages are made in Heaven, render me worthy of this noble wife, si qua voles apte nubere nube pari.For further exploring for "epithalamium" in Webster Dictionary Online