(ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)
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a formal expression of praise
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Pean \Pean\, n. [OF. pene, F. panne.] (Her.) One of the furs, the ground being sable, and the spots or tufts or.
Pean \Pe"an\, n. A song of praise and triumph. See {P[ae]an}.
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.
2. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph, joy, or praise. --Dryden. ``Public p[ae]ans of congratulation.'' --De Quincey.