homily
[hom-uh-lee]
noun, plural hom·i·lies.
a sermon, usually on a Biblical topic and usually of a nondoctrinal nature.
an admonitory or moralizing discourse.
an inspirational saying or cliché.
RELATED CONTENT
Jefe, White Elephant, And Other Trending Words This Week
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
What is the lesser-known language millions of people speak in Spain?
Catalan is a Romance language spoken primarily in the Eastern and Northeastern regions of Spain, mainly Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Isles. It is the official language of Andorra, a landlocked country located in the Eastern Pyrenees (mountains bordered by Spain and France), and the second official language of Spain. The Catalan language was nearly wiped out completely in the early 1700s only to experience …
READ MORE
RELATED WORDS
Origin of homily
1545–55; < Late Latin homīlia < Greek homīlía assembly, sermon, equivalent to hómīl(os) crowd (hom(oû) together + -īlos, masculine combining form of ī́lē (feminine) crowd) + -ia -y3; replacing Middle English omelie < Middle French < Latin, as above
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for homily
Contemporary Examples of homily
He figured on letting the gospel, specifically Matthew 1:28, guide his homily.
The question she was asked by the priest during his homily: “What would you like for Christmas?”
During his homily, Pope Francis stressed the importance of service.
Historical Examples of homily
The service was soon done, and then the parson delivered a homily.
A Son of HagarSir Hall Caine
"There is no such intent—" began Rhynsault, who misliked this homily.
The Historical Nights' EntertainmentRafael Sabatini
He broke off his homily to look out of the window of the car.
The Book of All-PowerEdgar Wallace
In short, she looked fit to spoil a homily for Saint Anthony himself.
The Guardian AngelOliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Very greatly, good mother; never heard I before a homily so brave.
Mistress MargeryEmily Sarah Holt
homily
noun plural -lies
Word Origin for homily
C14: from Church Latin homīlia, from Greek: discourse, from homilein to converse with, from homilos crowd, from homou together + ilē crowd
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper