lamentation

Everyday

1. Loud crying and sad words because of grief or loss. tree →
2. (Bible) Lamentations is a book of the Bible: sad poems about the fall of Jerusalem. tree →

In the lessons

A formal, old-fashioned word in stories, poems and the Bible: it tells the reader there is deep sorrow, often loud. In The Wind in the Willows Toad breaks into lamentations in his dungeon. Everyday words: crying, wailing.

Examples

• There was weeping and lamentation in the city. tree →
• Toad flung himself down in bitter lamentation. tree →
• The lamentations of the mourners filled the church. tree →
• The Book of Lamentations is in the Old Testament. tree →
• Her lamentations over the broken vase went on all day. tree →
• The poem is a lamentation for a lost friend. tree →
• At this story the parents redoubled their lamentations. tree →

Note

From the verb «lament» (to mourn) + -ation. Stress: la-men-TAY-shun. Often humorous today for too much complaining.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The Book of Lamentations (Eikhah) is read on Tisha B'Av, the day of mourning for the destroyed Temple. Ezekiel's lamentations were songs of mourning for kings and cities. In the primary lessons: A formal, old-fashioned word in stories, poems and the Bible: it tells the reader there is deep sorrow, often loud. In The Wind in the Willows Toad breaks into lamentations in his dungeon. Everyday words: crying, wailing.

Examples

• Moreover, take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, (Prophets EZK.19.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'And thou, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre, (Prophets EZK.27.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation. (Writings PSA.78.64, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

From the verb «lament» (to mourn) + -ation. Stress: la-men-TAY-shun. Often humorous today for too much complaining.