Meaning of carmen | Babel Free

Definitions

1. song, tune
   declension-3, neuter, poetic, usually
2. card for flax or wool
   declension-3, neuter
3. a composition in verse, a poem; poetry, verse, song
   declension-3, neuter
4. poem, poetry (strictly any poem or poetry that can be sung), verse (esp. lyric or epic verse)
   declension-3, neuter
5. incantation, charm, spell
   declension-3, neuter
6. play, playing (of music)
   declension-3, neuter
7. prayer (refers to prayers being composed in verse)
   declension-3, neuter
8. formula (refers to the formula of verse found in ancient prayers or magical spells)
   declension-3, neuter
9. oracle (infrequent but used to refer to the poetic form in which prophecies were spoken)
   declension-3, neuter
10. ritual (involving verse)
    declension-3, neuter

Equivalents

Examples

“mīlle dea est operum: certē dea carminis illa est;”

She is the goddess of a thousand crafts: Certainly she is the goddess of song; if I am deserving, may she be present, as a friend to my endeavors. (Ovid concludes 26 lines honoring the festival of Minerva with his own prayer to the goddess; see also Athena.)

““Haec sē carminibus prōmittit solvere mentēs”

“[This enchantress] vows by her spells to loosen the hearts of those she wills, but to inflict harsh cares upon others, ….”

“Carmina Burana”

Songs of Beuern

CEFR level