Panegyric
[pa-nə-JI-rik]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Greek, early 17th century
1.
A public speech or published text in praise of someone or something.
Examples of Panegyric in a sentence
"The best man directed his panegyric to the beaming newlyweds."
"Following the award winner's soaring panegyric, the audience rose to its feet."
About Panegyric
While the modern version of "panegyric" comes from the French word "panégyrique," it originated in Greece as "panēgurikos." The word, which means to assemble, is made up of "pan," meaning "all," and "aguris," which means "assembly." This word has gradually transitioned into being used as an address made in front of an assembled audience.
Did you Know?
While the word "panegyric" often applies to speech, it can also describe a genre of poetry. Heroic poetry, which can be found in the form of an epic or a blend of fantasy and reality, relies on metaphor to create a poem, or a panegyric, exulting the actions of a hero.
