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psaume

psalm

noun SOHM Rare

Origin: Greek psalmos (song sung to a harp)

Usage Note

Psaume is masculine and, crucially, the p is silent — it is pronounced like saume. The word refers to the biblical psalms, especially those of the Livre des Psaumes. The related verb psalmodier means to chant or intone.

Examples

"Le chœur chantait un psaume ancien."

Natural Translation

The choir was singing an ancient psalm.

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