Definify.com
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,
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
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
German
Noun
Sermon m (genitive Sermones or Sermons, plural Sermone)
- (derogatory) a long, tedious speech
- (obsolete, Christianity) sermon (religious discourse)
Declension
Declension of Sermon
Synonyms
- (religious discourse): Predigt
sermon
sermon
English
Noun
sermon (plural sermons)
- 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.
-
- A lengthy speech of reproval.
Translations
religious discourse
|
|
speech of reproval
Verb
sermon (third-person singular simple present sermons, present participle sermoning, simple past and past participle sermoned)
- (poetic, obsolete) To discourse to or of, as in a sermon.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Spenser to this entry?)
- (poetic, obsolete) To tutor; to lecture.
- 1607, William Shakespeare, The Life of Timon of Athens, II. ii. 177:
- Come, sermon me no further.
- 1607, William Shakespeare, The Life of Timon of Athens, II. ii. 177:
Anagrams
Old French
Alternative forms
- sermoun (Anglo-Norman)
- sermun (Anglo-Norman)
Etymology
Noun
sermon m (oblique plural sermons, nominative singular sermons, nominative plural sermon)
- sermon (religious)
Descendants
References
- (fr) Godefroy, Frédéric, Dictionnaire de l'ancienne langue française et de tous ses dialectes du IXe au XVe siècle (1881) (sermon, supplement)
- sermun on the Anglo-Norman On-Line Hub