Dirge (?), n. [Contraction of Lat. dirige, direct thou (imperative of dirigere), the first word of a funeral hymn (Lat. transl. of Psalm v. 8) beginning, “Dirige, Domine, in conspectu tuo vitam meam.” See Direct, a., and cf. Dirige.] A piece of music of a mournful character, to accompany funeral rites; a funeral hymn.
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The raven croaked, and hollow shrieks of owls
Sung dirges at her funeral. Ford.
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