Definition of the word requiem

The word "requiem" originates from the Latin phrase "requiem aeternam," which means "eternal rest." In the Roman Catholic Church, a Requiem Mass is a special Mass said for the deceased, typically on the day of burial or on the anniversary of death. The term "requiem" was used to describe the Mass, and eventually came to refer to the musical setting of the Mass for the dead. The earliest recorded use of the term "requiem" dates back to the 9th century, in a Latin manuscript of a Gregorian chant. Over time, the term became associated with the musical composition written to accompany the Requiem Mass, typically performed by a choir and orchestra. Today, the word "requiem" is widely used to describe any composition, including music, literature, and art, that is intended to honor or remember the dead.