homily

hom·i·ly

noun \ˈhä-mə-lē\

plural hom·i·lies

Definition of HOMILY

1

: a usually short sermon

2

: a lecture or discourse on or of a moral theme

3

: an inspirational catchphrase; also : platitude

Examples of HOMILY

1. The priest gave a brief homily on forgiveness.
2. We had to listen to another one of his homilies about the value of public service.
3. a politician with a fondness for homily

Origin of HOMILY

Middle English omelie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin homilia, from Late Greek, from Greek, conversation, discourse, from homilein to consort with, address, from homilos crowd, assembly; akin to Greek homos same — more at same

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HOMILY

Synonyms: sermon

Related Words: sermonette; address, lecture, speech, talk; exhortation, preachment; lesson

Near Antonyms: profundity

see all synonyms and antonyms

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