hildegard of bingen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Historical, Religious
Quick answer
What does “hildegard of bingen” mean?
A 12th-century German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary, and polymath.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A 12th-century German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary, and polymath.
Refers to the historical figure herself, her extensive body of work (theological writings, musical compositions, scientific and medicinal texts), and the modern scholarly, artistic, or spiritual interest in her legacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Spelling of 'Bingen' is consistent. Potential minor differences in pronunciation of the German originals.
Connotations
Identical connotations of medieval scholarship, mysticism, and early female intellectualism.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specialized discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “hildegard of bingen” in a Sentence
[Author] studies Hildegard of Bingen.[Subject] is influenced by Hildegard of Bingen.The theology of Hildegard of Bingen is complex.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hildegard of bingen” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Hildegardian scholarship is growing.
- The manuscript shows Hildegardian themes.
American English
- Her approach is distinctly Hildegardian.
- A Hildegardian perspective on medieval medicine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in historical, theological, musicological, gender studies, and medieval studies contexts.
Everyday
Extremely rare, except among those with specific interests.
Technical
Used precisely in historical and musicological discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hildegard of bingen”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hildegard of bingen”
- Incorrect: *Hildegard from Bingen* (though understandable).
- Misspelling: *Hildegarde*, *Binningen*.
- Mispronunciation: putting primary stress on 'of'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
She is one of the best-documented figures of the medieval period, a rare female voice whose works in theology, music, science, and medicine have survived extensively, making her crucial for understanding the era.
Yes, she is recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church, though she was never formally canonized by a pope; she was canonized by acclamation. Her feast day is September 17.
She wrote primarily in Latin, the scholarly language of her time, though her unique style and invented vocabulary (Lingua Ignota) are notable.
Yes, her musical compositions, particularly the collection 'Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum', are regularly recorded and performed by early music ensembles worldwide.
A 12th-century German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary, and polymath.
Hildegard of bingen is usually academic, historical, religious in register.
Hildegard of bingen: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪldəɡɑːd əv ˈbɪŋən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪldəˌɡɑːrd əv ˈbɪŋɡən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HILD the GARDEN of BINGEN: Imagine a hidden (Hil) garden (degard) in the town of Bingen where a wise woman writes and composes.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A VISION (drawing from her mystical experiences).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is Hildegard of Bingen NOT traditionally renowned?