'Paean' definitions:

Definition of 'paean'

From: WordNet
noun
A formal expression of praise [syn: encomium, eulogy, panegyric, paean, pean]
noun
(ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity) [syn: paean, pean]

Definition of 'Paean'

From: GCIDE
  • Paean \P[ae]"an\ (p[=e]`an), n. [L. paean, Gr. paia`n, fr. Paia`n the physician of the gods, later, Apollo. Cf. P[ae]on, Peony.] [Written also pean.]
  • 1. An ancient Greek hymn in honor of Apollo as a healing deity, and, later, a song addressed to other deities. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph, joy, or praise. --Dryden. "Public p[ae]ans of congratulation." --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. See P[ae]on. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'paean'

From: GCIDE
  • paeon \p[ae]"on\ (p[=e]"[o^]n), n. [L. paeon, Gr. paiw`n a solemn song, also, a p[ae]on, equiv. to paia`n. See P[ae]an.] (Anc. Poet.) A foot of four syllables, one long and three short, admitting of four combinations, according to the place of the long syllable. [Written also, less correctly, p[ae]an.] [1913 Webster]