paean
UK: ˈpiːən | US: ˈpiːən
n. a song of praise or triumph
n. (literary) an expression of enthusiastic approval
paean = pae<healer, god of healing> + an<noun suffix>
- pae (from Greek paiān, originally a hymn to Apollo, the god of healing)
- an (noun-forming suffix, indicating association or belonging)
Etymology Origin:
The word "paean" traces back to ancient Greek paiān, a hymn sung to Apollo (also called Paiān), who was revered as a healer. Over time, its meaning broadened from a specific religious hymn to any song of praise or triumph. The morpheme pae preserves the connection to Apollo's healing role, while -an marks it as a noun. The evolution reflects a shift from sacred to secular contexts, retaining the core idea of celebratory expression.
The crowd erupted in a paean of joy after the team's victory.
The poet composed a paean to nature's beauty.
Her speech was a paean to scientific progress.
Ancient Greeks sang a paean to Apollo before battle.
The film ends with a paean to human resilience.