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Webster 1913 Edition


Sermon

Ser′mon

,
Noun.
[OE.
sermoun
,
sermun
, F.
sermon
, fr. L.
sermo
,
-onis
, a speaking, discourse, probably fr.
serer
,
sertum
, to join, connect; hence, a connected speech. See
Series
.]
1.
A discourse or address; a talk; a writing;
as, the
sermons
of Chaucer
.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
2.
Specifically, a discourse delivered in public, usually by a clergyman, for the purpose of religious instruction and grounded on some text or passage of Scripture.
This our life exempt from public haunts
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons
in stones and good in everything.
Shakespeare
His preaching much, but more his practice, wrought,
A living
sermon
of the truths he taught.
Dryden.
3.
Hence, a serious address; a lecture on one’s conduct or duty; an exhortation or reproof; a homily; – often in a depreciatory sense.

Ser′mon

,
Verb.
I.
[Cf. OF.
sermoner
, F.
sermonner
to lecture one.]
To speak; to discourse; to compose or deliver a sermon.
[Obs.]
Holinshed.
What needeth it to
sermon
of it more?
Chaucer.

Ser′mon

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To discourse to or of, as in a sermon.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
2.
To tutor; to lecture.
[Poetic]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Sermon

SER'MON

,
Noun.
1. A discourse delivered in public by a licensed clergymen for the purpose of religious instruction, and usually grounded on some text or passage of Scripture. Sermons are extemporary addresses or written discourses.
His preaching much, but more his practice wrought,
A living sermon of the truths he taught. Dryden.
2. A printed discourse.

SER'MON

,
Verb.
T.
1. To discourse as in a sermon. [Little used.]

Definition 2024


Sermon

Sermon

See also: sermon and sermón

German

Noun

Sermon m (genitive Sermones or Sermons, plural Sermone)

  1. (derogatory) a long, tedious speech
  2. (obsolete, Christianity) sermon (religious discourse)

Declension

Synonyms

sermon

sermon

See also: Sermon and sermón

English

Noun

sermon (plural sermons)

  1. Religious discourse; a written or spoken address on a religious or moral matter.
    • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 3, in The Mirror and the Lamp:
      One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”  He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis […] interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable.
  2. A lengthy speech of reproval.

Translations

Verb

sermon (third-person singular simple present sermons, present participle sermoning, simple past and past participle sermoned)

  1. (poetic, obsolete) To discourse to or of, as in a sermon.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Spenser to this entry?)
  2. (poetic, obsolete) To tutor; to lecture.

Anagrams


French

Etymology

Latin sermō.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /sɛʁ.mɔ̃/

Noun

sermon m (plural sermons)

  1. sermon (religious speech)
  2. sermon (lengthy reproval)

Anagrams


Old French

Alternative forms

  • sermoun (Anglo-Norman)
  • sermun (Anglo-Norman)

Etymology

Borrowing from Latin sermō.

Noun

sermon m (oblique plural sermons, nominative singular sermons, nominative plural sermon)

  1. sermon (religious)

Descendants

References