Obs. 5–6. Also antyteme, antithem, anthe- antetyme, antetewme. [A derivative of THEME (earlier also teme, tyme), a. Fr. thème, tesme, teme, teume:—L. thema, in common mediæval use for ‘subject proposed for discussion, text,’ a. Gr. θέμα, lit. ‘the thing placed or laid down.’ The prefix is doubtful, whether Gr. ἀντί, as if assuming a Gr. *ἀντίθεμα, from ἀντιτίθημι; or (more prob.) L. ante ‘before,’ as if = *antethema ‘text prefixed.’ No corresponding word has yet been noticed in med.L. or OFr.]
The text prefixed to a sermon or discourse as its theme or motto.
1494. Fabyan, VII. 306. He made vnto them Colacions or Exortacions, & toke for his anteteme, Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus saluatoris.
1526. Skelton, Magnyf., 363. To preche … Without an antetyme. Ibid. (a. 1529), Merie Tales, vii. 78. As I said before in my antithem.
1530. Palsgr., Anthetyme, [Fr.] thieme.
1561. A. Scott, To Q. Mary. Protestandis takis the freiris auld Antetewme, Reddie ressauaris, bot to rander nocht.
