Pl. encomiums; also (now rarely) encomia. Also ENCOMION. [a. L. encōmium, ad. Gr. ἐγκώμιον (ἔπος) eulogy.] A formal or high-flown expression of praise; a eulogy, panegyric.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, I. xx. (Arb.), 58. The immortall gods were praised by hymnes, the great Princes and heroicke personages by ballades of praise called Encomia.
1613. Beaum. & Fl., Honest Man’s Fort., III. i. You … Should sing encomiums on’t [marriage].
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 139, ¶ 3. If we consider this wonderful Person, it is Perplexity to know where to begin his Encomium.
1846. Dickens, Old C. Shop, xxx. He brought in the bread, cheese and beer, with many high encomiums upon their excellence.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 139. Many tales, and praises, and encomia of ancient famous men.
† b. abstr. Obs. rare–1.
1784. Cowper, Task, VI. 715. Encomium in old times was poets’ work.
