a. and sb. Also 7 epecedean. [f. as prec. + -AN.]
A. adj. Elegiac; funereal.
1623. Cockeram, II. s.v. Song, A Song sung ere the corse bee buried, Epicedian-Songe [printed Epiodian].
1881. Ld. Lytton, in 19th Cent., Nov., 783. Epicedian strains.
† B. sb. Obs. = EPICEDIUM.
1606. Marlow & Chapman, Hero & Leander, IV. The … black-ey’d swans Did sing … woful epicedians.
1662. Tatham, Aqua Tri., 3. Swans are said to sing a little before they die … an Epecedean, or Funerall Song.
