hymn

Where does the word "hymn" come from? It comes from Greek hymnos, passing through Latin before entering English (1000s).

Hymn’s story begins in Greek: hymnos meant “song of praise.” The Homeric Hymns praised individual gods. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as hymnus. Adopted for Christian songs. It reached English by 1000s as hymn. Old English 'ymen'; the h and y were restored from Greek later. Today, hymn means a religious song of praise.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient hymnos "song of praise", the Homeric Hymns praised individual gods.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient hymnus "hymn", adopted for Christian songs.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1000s hymn "a religious song", Old English 'ymen'; the h and y were restored from Greek later.