A Word A Day : Paean

Thursday, 6th March 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Paean



(also spelt PEAN)



( Noun )



Pronunciation : pe-en


Definition



1. a written, spoken or musical expression of enthusiastic praise or rapturous joy

2. an expression of approval and commendation

3. a song of joyful praise or exultation

4. an ancient Greek hymn of thanksgiving or invocation, especially to Apollo

Paean (also spelt pean): a song or chant of triumphant rejoicing usually after a military victory. Originally choral hymns of thanksgiving to the Greek god Apollo : Paeans were later extended to other gods and to military leaders


Etymology:


Late 16th century - Via Latin - religious hymn (originally in honor of Apollo) - Greek paian - Paian - name for Apollo


Synonyms


acclaim, acclamation, accolade, adulation, applause, citation, commendation, compliment, encomium, exaltation, glorification, laudation, paean, panegyric, plaudit, salutation, tribute, eulogy


Antonyms


condemnation, damning, defamation, vilification


Contextual Examples:


• The choir sang the requested paean to the congregation.

• This quickly took us out of range of Red-Eye and the last we saw of him was far out on a point of land where he was jumping up and down and chanting a paean of victory.

• This art was nothing but a paean to paganism.


Related Words:


paeanistic : Adjective

pean : Noun


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