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noun

paean

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Paean (noun) means a song of thanks to a god, originally Apollo, sung after being saved or winning a battle, or to ask for victory.

noun
1
A song of thanks to a god, originally Apollo, sung after being saved or winning a battle, or to ask for victory.
2
A loud, joyful song celebrating success.
3
Words of praise spoken with great enthusiasm.
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Etymology

From Latin paeān (“a hymn, especially a victory hymn, to Apollo or another god”), from Ancient Greek παιᾱ́ν (paiā́n, “a chant or song, especially a thanksgiving or victory hymn, to Apollo under the name Παιᾱ́ν (Paiā́n)”), from the phrase Ἰὼ Παιᾱ́ν (Iṑ Paiā́n, “O Paean!, Thanks to Paean!”). According to Homer, Paián or Paean was the name of the physician of the gods; its further etymology is unclear. It has been suggested that Παιᾱ́ν is derived from *παιάϝων (*paiáwōn, “one who heals illnesses through magic”), from *παῖϝα (*paîwa), *παϝία (*pawía, “to blow”), related to παίω (paíō, “to hit, strike”) (from Proto-Indo-European *pēu-, *pyu-, *pū- (“to hit; to cut”)), or from παύω (paúō, “to bring to an end; to abate, to stop”) (from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂w- (“few, little; smallness”)), or that it may be a Pre-Greek word. Compare Middle French and French pæan (also French péan), Italian peana, Portuguese peã, péan.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of paean?
"paean" (noun) means a song of thanks to a god, originally Apollo, sung after being saved or winning a battle, or to ask for victory.
What is another word for paean?
Other words for "paean" include panegyric, pean, encomium, eulogy.
What is the opposite of paean?
Opposites of "paean" include dirge, threnody.
What are the different meanings of paean?
"paean" has 3 main meanings: 1. A song of thanks to a god, originally Apollo, sung after being saved or winning a battle, or to ask for victory; 2. A loud, joyful song celebrating success; 3. Words of praise spoken with great enthusiasm.

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Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · etymology from Wiktionary