Forms: (? 5 wloge, 6–7 eulogie, 7–8 euloge, 7– eulogy. [In sense 1 prob. anglicized form of EULOGIUM; but the ulterior source is Gr. εὐλογία praise, in N. T. blessing (f. εὐ- + -λογία speaking, after phrase εὖ λέγειν το speak well of), of which the word in sense 2 is an adaptation.]
1. A speech or writing in commendation of the character and services of a person, or the qualities of a thing; esp. a set oration in honor of a deceased person.
[14[?]. E. E. Misc. (Warton Club), 18. I wylle apposse Thin wlogé, yf hit do the apleyse.]
1591. Spenser, Tears of Muses, 372. And Eulogies turne into Elegies.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., V. vii. 38. In a soile whereof we finde this Euloge.
1667. Pepys, Diary (1877), V. 216. Every body … came to me … with such eulogys as cannot be expressed.
1752. Hume, Ess. & Treat. (1777), I. 25. If our constitution does in any degree deserve these eulogies.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1872), I. 13. His greatest eulogy is written in the disgraces of succeeding times.
1830. Lyell, Princ. Geol., 27. Fontenelle … pronounced his eulogy more than fifty years afterwards.
a. 1839. Praed, Poems (1864), II. 323. Thy portrait and thine eulogy Traced by some artist hand.
b. Eulogistic speaking; commendation, praise.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Nitre, All the pompous Eulogie, made from Time to Time to celebrate the Excellency of Salt.
1791. Mackintosh, Vind. Gall., Wks. 1846, III. 17, note. The commercial abilities of Mr. Eden … were the theme of profuse eulogy.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), I. i. 36. Some mention Henry [VIII.] after his death in language of eulogy.
1873. Symonds, Grk. Poets, vi. 169. He [Pindar] knew how to mingle eulogy with admonition.
† 2. Eccl. In the senses of EULOGIA, which is now more common in historical use.
1709. T. Johnson, Clergym. Vade-m., II. 100. That the Holy Mysteries be not carried into other parishes on the Feast of Easter, by way of Eulogies.
1725. trans. Dupin’s Eccl. Hist. 17th C., I. V. 209. The things upon which these Invocations were made, were afterwards consider’d as holy and sacred things, and call’d … the Eucharist, Eulogy, and Praise.
1730–6. in Bailey (folio).
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., These pieces of bread they call eulogies…. The wine sent as a present, was also held an eulogy. Bollandus remarks … that the eucharist itself was called eulogy.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., II. VI. 16. Some churches substituted what they called eulogies, or holy bread for the bread of the Lord’s Supper.
† 3. = ELOGY 3. Obs. rare.
1703. W. Wotton, in Evelyn’s Mem. (1857), III. 389. What countryman? What his employment? in short, a short eulogy of him … with an account of the time of his death.
