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Dictionary Language resources

homily

Pronunciation: /ˈhɒmɪli/

Translate homily | into Italian

Definition of homily

noun (plural homilies)

a religious discourse which is intended primarily for spiritual edification rather than doctrinal instruction.
a tedious moralizing lecture:she delivered her homily about the need for patience

Derivatives

homilist

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin homilia, from Greek, 'discourse, conversation' (in ecclesiastical use, 'sermon'), from homilos 'crowd'