panegyric

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a formal speech or piece of writing that offers elaborate praise

   The professor ended the lecture with a panegyric on the achievements of modern chemistry.

2. 2
   noun

   high, unstinting, or sometimes excessive praise

   The review reads less like criticism than a panegyric to the director.

Via French panegyrique and Latin panegyricus from Greek panegyrikos, 'for a public assembly,' based on panegyris, 'a public gathering or festival' (pan-, 'all,' + agyris, 'assembly'). A speech delivered before such a gathering was often ceremonial praise, which produced the modern sense.

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