panegyric

American  

[pan-i-jir-ik, -jahy-rik] / ˌpæn ɪˈdʒɪr ɪk, -ˈdʒaɪ rɪk /

noun

1. a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; eulogy.

   Synonyms:

   encomium, tribute, homage

2. formal or elaborate praise.

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panegyric British  

/ ˌpænɪˈdʒɪrɪk /

noun

1. a formal public commendation; eulogy

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• panegyrically
  adverb
• self-panegyric
  adjective
• panegyrical
  adjective
• panegyrist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of panegyric

1590–1600; < Latin, noun use of panēgyricus of, belonging to a public assembly < Greek panēgyrikós, equivalent to panḗgyr ( is ) solemn assembly ( pan- pan- + -ēgyris, combining form of ágyris gathering; cf. category) + -ikos -ic

Explanation

A formal, high-minded speech can be described with a formal, high-minded word — the word panegyric, which is a very elaborate tribute to someone. You could consider most eulogies as panegyrics. It stands to reason that the original use of the word panegyris, from which panegyric derives, was to describe a public gathering in honor of a Greek god. The Latin, L. panegyricus, altered slightly to mean "public eulogy," which around the 16th Century shifted to the French panégyrique, which meant "laudation." In any case, the word today stands for high praise given in a speech or tribute as highfalutin as the word itself sounds.

Example Sentences

My Englishmen thought the Panegyric upon Madame de Maintenon a little too much strain’d.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume II Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels From Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by P?llnitz, Karl Ludwig von

Before passing on to discuss the satires I may be allowed to say a few words on a class of poems largely represented in Marvell's works, which may be generally called Panegyric.

From Essays by Benson, Arthur Christopher

It was printed at Oxford in 1683, under the title of Wit against Wisdom, or a Panegyric upon Folly.

From Notes and Queries, Number 28, May 11, 1850 by Various

Panegyric, pan-ē-jir′ik, n. an oration or eulogy in praise of some person or event: an encomium.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Panegyric and praise! and what will that do with the public?

From Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook, Vol. 3 by Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham