dithyramb

Etymology

Ancient Greek διθύραμβος (dithúrambos). According to the American Heritage Dictionary, it is of non-Indo-European origin, related to θρίαμβος and ἴαμβος.

Noun

dithyramb (plural dithyrambs)

1. A choral hymn sung in ancient Athens in honor of the god Dionysus.
2. A poem or oration in the same style.
   • 1969, Robert Conquest, “George Orwell”, in Arias from a Love Opera, and Other Poems, Macmillan, page 32,

     While those who drown a truth’s empiric part

     In dithyramb or dogma turn frenetic;

     — Than whom no writer could be less poetic

     He left this lesson for all verse, all art.