hymeneal
English
Etymology
From Latin hymenaeus (from Ancient Greek ὑμεναῖος (humenaîos, “matrimonial”)) + -al. Compare hymen.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /hʌɪməˈniːəl/
Audio (US) (file)
Adjective
hymeneal (comparative more hymeneal, superlative most hymeneal)
- Pertaining to marriage.
- 1806, Jane West, Letters to a Young Lady, volume I:
- I consider these more as the privileges of age, than as part of the hymeneal dowry.
- 1831, Anna Maria Winter, Thoughts on the Moral Order of Nature, vol. III, IV.3.vii:
- It seems to me that girls ought to be early taught to discriminate, between the characteristic of a hymeneal connexion and of a dishonourable one apparently resembling it.
- 1850, Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, p. 348:
- "My dear Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber. "This is luxurious. This is a way of life which reminds me of the period when I was myself in a state of celibacy, and Mrs. Micawber had not yet solicited to plight her faith at the "Hymeneal" altar."
- 1897, Henry James, The Spoils of Poynton:
- Mrs. Gereth evidently thought in these days of little but things hymeneal; for she broke out with sudden rapture in the middle of the week: "I know what they'll do: they will marry, but they'll go and live at Waterbath!"
- 2005, Catherine Bennett, The Guardian, 23 Jun 2005:
- Is it so difficult to wait until you are out of the register office to exchange some home-made vows and a selection of inspiring hymeneal ditties - To His Coy Mistress, for instance, or some lines from The Hollow Men?
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- (anatomy) Of or pertaining to the hymen.
- 1978, AS Byatt, The Virgin in the Garden, page 422:
- ‘It doesn't seem to qualify as a haemorrhage,’ he said, with his usual cocky certainty. ‘Just heavy hymeneal bleeding, I'd say.’
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Translations
pertaining to marriage
pertaining to hymen
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See also
Noun
hymeneal (plural hymeneals)
- A hymn, song or poem in honour of a wedding.
- 1717, Alexander Pope, Eloisa to Abelard:
- For her white virgins hymeneals sing, / To sounds of heav'nly harps she dies away, / And melts in visions of eternal day.
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