hymnal
Meaning
a book containing hymns for use in a religious service.
Structure
Usage
the choir director placed the new hymnal on every pew before the service.
she found great comfort in the old, leather-bound hymnal from her childhood church.
many modern hymnals include both traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs.
Etymology
the word 'hymnal' is a modern english compound formed from the noun 'hymn' and the adjectival suffix '-al'. its core, 'hymn', traces back to ancient greek 'hymnos', a song of praise, often dedicated to gods or heroes, which was borrowed into latin as 'hymnus'. the suffix '-al', of latin origin, denotes a relationship or pertaining to something. therefore, the literal construction "pertaining to a hymn" evolved into its current nominal usage, specifically referring to the book containing such sacred songs. this evolution reflects the process where an adjective describing something related to hymns became the standard term for the physical collection used in christian worship.
Analysis
hymn - from latin 'hymnus', meaning "song of praise," from greek 'hymnos', meaning "festive song or ode in praise of gods or heroes." al - a suffix forming adjectives from nouns or other adjectives, meaning "of, like, related to," from latin '-alis'.