Anthemic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having the stirring, rousing quality of a national song or hymn of praise
2. Sounding grand and uplifting in the manner of a formal patriotic or celebratory song
3. Describing music or words that inspire collective pride, emotion and unity like an anthem

Etymology: Anthemic is a plain adjective built from "anthem" and the suffix "-ic," meaning "of, like, or relating to" an anthem. An anthem is a song of praise or celebration, and the word "anthem" itself came into English from Old English through Middle English forms, so "anthemic" describes something with the stirring, rousing quality of a national or celebratory song. The suffix does most of the work. It arrived through Latin "-icus," which passed through Old French "-ique" and Middle English "-ik" before settling as English "-ic," the same ending found in words like "heroic" or "poetic." Attaching it to "anthem" produced an adjective meaning "anthem-like."

Synonyms: stirring, rousing