homily
[hom-uh-lee]
- a sermon, usually on a Biblical topic and usually of a nondoctrinal nature.
- an admonitory or moralizing discourse.
- an inspirational saying or cliché.
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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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for homily
Contemporary Examples
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
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
- a sermon or discourse on a moral or religious topic
- moralizing talk or writing
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for homily
n.
late 14c., omelye, from Old French omelie (12c., Modern French homélie), from Church Latin homilia "a homily, sermon," from Greek homilia "conversation, discourse," used in New Testament Greek for "sermon," from homilos "an assembled crowd," from homou "together" (from PIE *somo-, from root *sem- (1) "one, as one, together with;" see same) + ile "troop" (cognate with Sanskrit melah "assembly," Latin miles "soldier"). Latinate form restored in English 16c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper