Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Paean"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Paean \P[ae]"an\ (p[=e]`an), n. [L. paean, Gr. paia`n, fr.
Paia`n the physician of the gods, later, Apollo. Cf.
{P[ae]on}, {Peony}.] [Written also {pean}.]
1. An ancient Greek hymn in honor of Apollo as a healing
deity, and, later, a song addressed to other deities.
2. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph. --Dryden.
``Public p[ae]ans of congratulation.'' --De Quincey.
3. See {P[ae]on}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Paeon \P[ae]"on\ (p[=e]"[o^]n), n. [L. paeon, Gr. paiw`n a
solemn song, also, a p[ae]on, equiv. to paia`n. See
{P[ae]an}.] (Anc. Poet.)
A foot of four syllables, one long and three short, admitting
of four combinations, according to the place of the long
syllable. [Written also, less correctly, {p[ae]an}.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
paean
n 1: a formal expression of praise [syn: {encomium}, {eulogy}, {panegyric},
{pean}]
2: a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to
invoke or thank a deity) [syn: {pean}]
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