sɑ:m n. 1 a (also Psalm)
any of
the sacred songs contained in the
Book of Psalms,
esp.
when set
for metrical chanting in a service. b (the Psalms or the Book of Psalms) the book of the
Old Testament containing the Psalms. 2 a sacred
song or
hymn. øpsalm-book a book containing the Psalms, esp.
with metrical settings for
worship. øøpsalmic adj. [OE (p)sealm f. LL psalmus f. Gk psalmos song
sung to a
harp f. psallo pluck]