Lamentations, (used with a singular verb) a book of the Bible, traditionally ascribed to Jeremiah. Abbreviation:Lam.
[Origin: 1325–75; < L lāmentātiōn- (s. of lāmentātiō), equiv. to lāmentāt(us) (ptp. of lāmentārī; see lament) + -iōn--ion; r. ME lamentacioun < AF ≪ L, as above]
1375, from L. lamentationem (nom. lamentatio) "wailing, moaning, weeping," from lamentatus, pp. of lamentari, from lamentum "a wailing," from PIE base *la- "to shout, cry," probably ultimately imitative. Replaced O.E. cwiþan. Back-formation lament is from 1591 (n.), 1530 (v.).
Lam`en*ta"tion\, n. [F. lamentation, L. lamentatio.]1. The act of bewailing; audible expression of sorrow; wailing; moaning. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping. --Matt. ii. 18. 2. pl. (Script.) A book of the Old Testament attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, and taking its name from the nature of its contents.
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