stabat mater: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Ecclesiastical, Musical
Quick answer
What does “stabat mater” mean?
A medieval Latin hymn on the suffering of the Virgin Mary at the Crucifixion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medieval Latin hymn on the suffering of the Virgin Mary at the Crucifixion.
A musical setting of this hymn, typically for choir and orchestra, as a piece of sacred music.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Both refer to the same hymn and musical works.
Connotations
Connotes high art, classical music, liturgical tradition, and solemnity.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Used almost exclusively in contexts of classical music, music history, theology, or liturgy.
Grammar
How to Use “stabat mater” in a Sentence
[Composer's] Stabat Materthe Stabat Mater by [Composer]to perform/sing/hear the Stabat MaterVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, theology, and medieval studies to refer to the specific text and its musical settings.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be mentioned when discussing classical music concerts.
Technical
A standard term in music history and liturgical studies for a specific genre of sacred music.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stabat mater”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stabat mater”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stabat mater”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a stabat mater').
- Pronouncing 'mater' as English 'mater' (/ˈmeɪtər/) instead of Latin (/ˈmɑːteɪ/ or /ˈmɑtər/).
- Using it in a non-capitalised form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a Latin phrase used as a loan title in English for a specific hymn and its musical settings. It is not adapted into English grammar.
Use it as a proper noun, typically preceded by a composer's name or a definite article: 'Rossini's Stabat Mater' or 'The Stabat Mater is a solemn work.'
In formal writing, especially academic contexts, it is often italicised as a foreign phrase and title of a work. In general prose, it may appear in plain text due to its established usage.
Rarely. The concept is usually treated as a singular work or genre. If referring to multiple different musical settings, one might say 'settings of the Stabat Mater' or 'various Stabat Mater compositions'.
A medieval Latin hymn on the suffering of the Virgin Mary at the Crucifixion.
Stabat mater is usually formal, ecclesiastical, musical in register.
Stabat mater: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɑːbæt ˈmɑːteɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɑbɑt ˈmɑtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a fixed title.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STAtue of the Mother (MATER) standing (STABAT) at the foot of the cross.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOTHERHOOD IS SUFFERING / GRIEF IS A PHYSICAL BURDEN
Practice
Quiz
What is the 'Stabat Mater' primarily?