alcman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / SpecializedAcademic / Literary / Specialized (Classics)
Quick answer
What does “alcman” mean?
A poetic term referring to a type of lyric poetry, specifically the work or style of the ancient Greek poet Alcman, or the metre he used.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A poetic term referring to a type of lyric poetry, specifically the work or style of the ancient Greek poet Alcman, or the metre he used.
Can refer to a lyrical, choral style of verse, often associated with maiden-songs (partheneia) from ancient Sparta.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference. Usage is identical and confined to academic Classics departments.
Connotations
Scholarly, historical, precise reference to a specific ancient poet or poetic form.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to very specific publications.
Grammar
How to Use “alcman” in a Sentence
Proper noun used attributively (e.g., Alcmanic verse, Alcman's partheneia)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alcman” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Alcmanic fragments offer insight into Spartan culture.
American English
- Her thesis focused on Alcmanic metrical patterns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in Classical studies, philology, and discussions of ancient Greek lyric poetry and metre.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used as a technical term in metrics (prosody) to describe a specific metrical pattern.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alcman”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alcman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alcman”
- Misspelling as 'Alkman' or 'Alcmen'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He wrote an alcman').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized term used only in academic discussions of ancient Greek literature.
Alcman is known for his choral lyric poetry, especially maiden-songs (partheneia), composed in the Doric dialect of Sparta in the 7th century BC.
Yes, in academic writing, the adjective 'Alcmanic' (or sometimes 'Alcmanian') is used to describe his style, metre, or the fragments of his work.
It is included as a proper noun and specialist term that appears in English-language scholarly texts, reference works, and translations concerning classical studies.
A poetic term referring to a type of lyric poetry, specifically the work or style of the ancient Greek poet Alcman, or the metre he used.
Alcman is usually academic / literary / specialized (classics) in register.
Alcman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈælkmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈælkmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Alcman' as 'Alk-man' – a man from ancient times whose lyrical work is still analysed.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCHOLARLY PRECISION IS A REFERENCE TO ALCMAN (i.e., using the name signifies deep, specific knowledge of a niche field).
Practice
Quiz
In what context would you most likely encounter the word 'Alcman'?