[syn: sermon, preaching]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sermon \Ser"mon\, n. [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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
This our life exempt from public haunts
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones and good in everything. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
His preaching much, but more his practice, wrought,
A living sermon of the truths he taught. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
3. Hence, a serious address; a lecture on one's conduct or
duty; an exhortation or reproof; a homily; -- often in a
depreciatory sense.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sermon \Ser"mon\, v. i. [Cf. OF. sermoner, F. sermonner to
lecture one.]
To speak; to discourse; to compose or deliver a sermon.
[Obs.] --Holinshed.
[1913 Webster]
What needeth it to sermon of it more? --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sermon \Ser"mon\, v. t.
1. To discourse to or of, as in a sermon. [Obs.] --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. To tutor; to lecture. [Poetic] --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
sermon
n 1: an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during
a church service) [syn: sermon, discourse, preaching]
2: a moralistic rebuke; "your preaching is wasted on him" [syn:
sermon, preaching]