GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Pæan (pēˌan), n. [L. paean, Gr. παιάν, fr. Παιάν the physician of the gods, later, Apollo.  Cf. Pæon, 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.
   
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   2. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph, joy, or praise. Dryden. “Public pæans of congratulation.”  De Quincey.
   
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   3. See Pæon.
   
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2.       
   pæon (pēˈŏn), n. [L. paeon, Gr. παιών a solemn song, also, a pæon, equiv. to παιάν. See Pæan.] (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, pæan.]
   
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