eulogy
(ˈjuːlədʒɪ)
Forms: (? 5 wloge, 6–7 eulogie, 7–8 euloge, 7– eulogy.
[In sense 1 prob. anglicized form of eulogium: but the ulterior source is Gr. εὐλογία praise, in N.T. blessing (f. εὐ- + -λογία speaking, after phrase εὖ λέγειν to speak well of), of which the word in sense 2 is an adaptation.]
1. A speech or writing in commendation of the character and services of a person, or the qualities of a thing; esp. a set oration in honour of a deceased person.
| [14.. E.E. Misc. (Warton Club) 18, I wylle apposse Thin wlogé, yf hit do the apleyse.] 1591 Spenser Tears of Muses 372 And Eulogies turne into Elegies. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. v. vii. 38 In a soile whereof we finde this Euloge. 1667 Pepys Diary (1877) V. 216 Every body..came to me..with such eulogys as cannot be expressed. 1752 Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 25 If our constitution does in any degree deserve these eulogies. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) I. 13 His greatest eulogy is written in the disgraces of succeeding times. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. 27 Fontenelle..pronounced his eulogy more than fifty years afterwards. a 1839 Praed Poems (1864) II. 323 Thy portrait and thine eulogy Traced by some artist hand. |
b. Eulogistic speaking; commendation, praise.
| 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Nitre, All the pompous Eulogie, made from Time to Time to celebrate the Excellency of Salt. 1791 Mackintosh Vind. Gall. Wks. 1846 III. 17 note, The commercial abilities of Mr. Eden..were the theme of profuse eulogy. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) I. i. 36 Some mention Henry VIII after his death in language of eulogy. 1873 Symonds Grk. Poets vi. 169 Pindar..knew how to mingle eulogy with admonition. |
† 2. Eccl. In the senses of eulogia, which is now more common in historical use.
| 1709 J. Johnson Clergym. Vade-m. ii. 100 That the Holy Mysteries be not carried into other parishes on the Feast of Easter, by way of Eulogies. 1725 tr. Dupin's Eccl. Hist. 17th C. I. v. 209 The things upon which these Invocations were made, were afterwards consider'd as holy and sacred things, and call'd..the Eucharist, Eulogy, and Praise. 1730–6 in Bailey (folio). 1751 Chambers Cycl. s.v., These pieces of bread they call eulogies..The wine sent as a present, was also held an eulogy. Bollandus remarks..that the eucharist itself was called eulogy. 1782 Priestley Corrupt Chr. II. vi. 16 Some churches substituted what they called eulogies, or holy bread for the bread of the Lord's Supper. |
† 3. = elogy 3. Obs. rare.
| 1703 W. Wotton in Evelyn's Mem. (1857) III., What countryman? What his employment? in short, a short eulogy of him..with an account of the time of his death. |