hymeneal

From Latin hymenaeus (from Ancient Greek ὑμεναῖος (humenaîos, “matrimonial”)) +‎ -al. Compare hymen.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /hʌɪməˈniːəl/

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hymeneal (comparative more hymeneal, superlative most hymeneal)

1. Pertaining to marriage.
   • 1806, Jane West, Letters to a Young Lady, volume I:

     I consider these more as the privileges of age, than as part of the hymeneal dowry.

   • 1831, Anna Maria Winter, Thoughts on the Moral Order of Nature, vol. III, IV.3.vii:

     It seems to me that girls ought to be early taught to discriminate, between the characteristic of a hymeneal connexion and of a dishonourable one apparently resembling it.

   • 1850, Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, p. 348:

     "My dear Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber. "This is luxurious. This is a way of life which reminds me of the period when I was myself in a state of celibacy, and Mrs. Micawber had not yet solicited to plight her faith at the "Hymeneal" altar."

   • 1897, Henry James, The Spoils of Poynton:

     Mrs. Gereth evidently thought in these days of little but things hymeneal; for she broke out with sudden rapture in the middle of the week: "I know what they'll do: they will marry, but they'll go and live at Waterbath!"

   • 2005, Catherine Bennett, The Guardian, 23 Jun 2005:

     Is it so difficult to wait until you are out of the register office to exchange some home-made vows and a selection of inspiring hymeneal ditties - To His Coy Mistress, for instance, or some lines from The Hollow Men?

2. (anatomy) Of or pertaining to the hymen.
   • 1978, AS Byatt, The Virgin in the Garden, page 422:

     ‘It doesn't seem to qualify as a haemorrhage,’ he said, with his usual cocky certainty. ‘Just heavy hymeneal bleeding, I'd say.’

• matrimonial
• nuptial

hymeneal (plural hymeneals)

1. A hymn, song or poem in honour of a wedding.
   • 1717, Alexander Pope, Eloisa to Abelard:

     For her white virgins hymeneals sing, / To sounds of heav'nly harps she dies away, / And melts in visions of eternal day.