unsung

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   not publicly recognized or praised despite deserving recognition

   The volunteer interpreters were the unsung heroes of the relief effort.

2. 2
   adj

   not performed, expressed, or commemorated in song or verse

   Several verses remained unsung when the ceremony ran out of time.

Formed from un- ("not") + sung, the past participle of sing. The literal sense is "not put into song"; the figurative sense "not celebrated or praised" developed because notable people and deeds were traditionally commemorated in song and verse.

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