an·them 
(
ăn
th
əm)
n.1. A hymn of praise or loyalty.
2. A choral composition having a sacred or moralizing text in English.
3. A popular song, especially a rock song felt to sum up the attitudes or feelings associated with a period or social group.
[Middle English anteme, from Old English antefn, from Late Latin antiphōna, from Late Greek, from neuter pl. of antiphōnos, sounding in answer : anti-, in return; see ANTI- + phōnē, voice; see bhā-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]