genethliacon
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Via Latin genethliacon from Ancient Greek γενεθλιακόν (genethliakón, “of or related to a birthday”, neuter sg.).
Noun[edit]
genethliacon (plural genethliaca)
- A birthday ode.
- 1565, Thomas Beccon, “The thyrde sermon of the songe of the Angels.”, in A new postil conteinyng most godly and learned sermons vpon all the Sonday Gospelles, London: Thomas Marshe, page f. 38v:
- For they singe such a Genethliacon and byrth verse as was neuer heard of before in the worlde.
- 1589, Ascribed to George Puttenham, “The forme of Poeticall reioysings.”, in Edward Arber, editor, The arte of English poesie.[1], London: Alex, Murray, & Son, published 1869, The First Booke, Of Poets and Poesie, page 61:
- Others for magnificence at the natiuities of Princes children, or by custome used yearely upon the same dayes, are called songs natall or Genethliaca.