homily

hom·i·ly

H0254900 (hŏm′ə-lē)n. pl. hom·i·lies 1. A sermon, especially one intended to explain the practical and moral implications of a particular scriptural passage.2. A moralizing lecture or admonition that is often tedious or condescending.3. A platitudinous or inspirational saying: "'Receiving is a form of giving,' she said, in one of those sudden banal homilies that came to her every now and again" (Willie Morris).

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[Middle English omelie, from Old French, from Late Latin homīlia, from Greek homīliā, discourse, from homīlos, crowd; see sem- in Indo-European roots.]

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hom′i·list n.

homily

(ˈhɒmɪlɪ) n, pl -lies1. (Ecclesiastical Terms) a sermon or discourse on a moral or religious topic2. moralizing talk or writing[C14: from Church Latin homīlia, from Greek: discourse, from homilein to converse with, from homilos crowd, from homou together + ilē crowd] ˈhomilist n

hom•i•ly

(ˈhɒm ə li)

n., pl. -lies. 1. a sermon typically on a scriptural topic. 2. an admonitory or moralizing discourse. 3. an inspirational saying or cliché. [1545–55; < Late Latin homīlia < Greek homīlía assembly, sermon =hómīl(os) crowd (hom(oû) together + -īlos, comb. form of ilē crowd)]

homily

a sermon or serious admonition. — homilist, homilete, n.See also: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

homily - a sermon on a moral or religious topicpreachmentpreaching, sermon, discourse - an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

homily

noun sermon, talk, address, speech, lecture, preaching, discourse, oration, declamation a receptive audience for his homily on moral values

Translations