The Collaborative International Dictionary
Epithalamium \Ep`i*tha*la"mi*um\, n.; pl. Epithalamiums, L. Epithalamia. [L., fr. Gr. ?, orig. an adj., nuptial; 'epi` upon, at + ? bride chamber.] A nuptial song, or poem in honor of the bride and bridegroom.
The kind of poem which was called epithalamium . . .
sung when the bride was led into her chamber.
--B.
Jonson.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"bridal song," 1590s (earlier in nativized form epithalamy, 1580s), from Latin epithalamium, from Greek epithalamion "a bridal song," noun use of adjective meaning "of or for a bridal, nuptial," from epi "at, upon" (see epi-) + thalamos "bridal chamber, inner chamber" (see thalamus). Related: Epithalamic.
Wiktionary
n. A song or poem celebrating a marriage.
Wikipedia
An epithalamium (; Latin form of Greek ἐπιθαλάμιον epithalamion from ἐπί epi "upon," and θάλαμος thalamos nuptial chamber) is a poem written specifically for the bride on the way to her marital chamber. This form continued in popularity through the history of the classical world; the Roman poet Catullus wrote a famous epithalamium, which was translated from or at least inspired by a now-lost work of Sappho. According to Origen, Song of Songs might be an epithalamium on the marriage of Solomon with Pharaoh’s daughter.
Usage examples of "epithalamium".
While in no degree Shakespearian echoes, there are epithalamia and dirges of his that might properly have fallen from the lips of Posthumus in "Cymbeline.
Sire, I have composed a most pertinent epithalamium for Mademoiselle of Flanders and Monseigneur the most august Dauphin.
You know, for example, that famous epithalamium which I composed for Madame Margaret of Flanders, and the Cité refuses to pay me for it on the ground that it was not good enough, as if one could furnish tragedies like those of Sophocles at four crowns apiece.
He has not yet paid me for my epithalamium, and it was a mere chance that he did not order me to be hanged tonight, which would have annoyed me exceedingly.