Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—P

Paean

The physician of the celestial gods; the deliverer from any evil or calamity. (Greek, pauo, to make to cease.)

Paean

A hymn to Apollo, and applied to the god himself. We are told in Dr. Smith's Classical Dictionary, that this word is from Paean, the physician of the Olympian gods; but surely it could be no honour to the Sun-god to be called by the name of his own vassal. Hermsterhuis suggests pauo, to make to cease, meaning to make diseases to cease; but why supply diseases rather than any other noun? The more likely derivation, me judice, is the Greek verb paio, to dart; Apollo being called the “far-darter.” The hymn began with “Io Paean.” Homer applies it to a triumphal song in general.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Pagan
Paduasoy
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Paean from Fact Monster:

  • Paean - Paean Paean , Paean was an epithet for Apollo, the healer. The paean, a hymn of praise to Apollo ...
  • Christopher Smart - Smart, Christopher Smart, Christopher, 1722–71, English poet. A graduate of Cambridge, he ...
  • Toby Keith - Biography of Toby Keith, Singer of "I Love This Bar"
  • Goliardic songs - Goliardic songs Goliardic songs , Late Latin poetry of the “wandering scholars,” or ...
  • Sophocles - Sophocles Sophocles , c.496 B.C.–406 B.C., Greek tragic dramatist, younger contemporary of ...

Related Content