anti-psalmist
|an-ti-psalm-ist|
/ˌæn.tiˈsɑːl.mɪst/
opposed to psalm-singing
Etymology
'anti-psalmist' is a modern English compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek ἀντί 'anti-' meaning 'against') and 'psalmist' (from 'psalm', ultimately from Greek 'psalmos' and Hebrew 'mizmor', meaning 'song' or 'song of praise').
'psalm' entered English via Latin 'psalmus' and Old French from Greek 'psalmos' (ψαλμός), itself from Hebrew 'mizmor'; 'psalmist' arose in Middle English to mean a singer of psalms. The compound 'anti-psalmist' is a later, productive modern formation combining 'anti-' + 'psalmist'.
Literally it meant 'against a psalmist' or 'opposed to psalm-singing'; in usage it may retain that literal sense or be used figuratively to describe critics of liturgical/sacred singing or of praise-oriented religious practice.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to psalmists or to the practice of singing psalms (religious psalmody); broadly, someone critical of congregational or liturgical psalm-singing.
During the meeting he behaved like an anti-psalmist, arguing that congregational psalm-singing was outdated.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/17 00:58