pae·an also pe·an  (p ēən)
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n.1. A song of joyful praise or exultation. 2. A fervent expression of joy or praise: "The art ... was a paean to paganism" (Will Durant). 3. An ancient Greek hymn of thanksgiving or invocation, especially to Apollo.
[Latin paeān, hymn of thanksgiving, often addressed to Apollo, from Greek paiān, from Paiā, a title of Apollo.]
pae′an·istic (-ĭstĭk) adj. |
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Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
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