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A.Word.A.Day--threnody threnody (THREN-uh-dee) noun A song of lamentation for the dead. [From Greek threnoidia, from threnos (lament) + oide (song). Ultimately from Indo-European root wed- (to speak) that is also the forefather of such words as ode, tragedy, comedy, parody, melody, and rhapsody.] Today's word in Visual Thesaurus. "In his new novel James Lee Burke ties all these elements together in what amounts to a threnody of grief for the American dream." Mike Phillips; Both Villains And Victims; The Guardian (London, UK); Jul 31, 2004. "For Dorin, it was a full-throated threnody of decision." Jerry Izenberg; A Jersey Hero Hits Home; The Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey); Jul 25, 2004. This week's theme: words from Greek. X-Bonus Good music is very close to primitive language. -Denis Diderot, philosopher (1713-1784)

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