An"them , v. t. To celebrate with anthems.
[Poet.]
Sweet birds antheming the
morn.
Keats.
An"them (ăn"th&ebreve;m), n. [OE. antym, antefne, AS. antefen, fr. LL. antiphona, fr. Gr.
'anti`fwna, neut. pl. of 'anti`fwnon antiphon, or anthem, n. neut., from 'anti`fwnos sounding contrary,
returning a sound; 'anti` over against + fwnh` sound, voice: the anthem being sung by
the choristers alternately, one half-choir answering the other: cf. OF. anthaine, anteine, antieune, F. antienne. See Antiphon.]
1. Formerly, a hymn sung in
alternate parts, in present usage, a selection from the Psalms, or other parts of the Scriptures or the liturgy, set to sacred music.
2. A song or hymn of praise. Milton.
Hear it pronounced