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Definition of preach - 4 dictionary results

preach

  [preech]
Use preach in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to proclaim or make known by sermon (the gospel, good tidings, etc.).
2. to deliver (a sermon).
3. to advocate or inculcate (religious or moral truth, right conduct, etc.) in speech or writing.
–verb (used without object)
4. to deliver a sermon.
5. to give earnest advice, as on religious or moral subjects or the like.
6. to do this in an obtrusive or tedious way.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME prechen < OF pre(ë)chier < LL praedicāre to preach (L: to assert publicly, proclaim). See predicate

Synonyms:
5. advocate, profess, pronounce, expound.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To preach
preach   (prēch)   
v.   preached, preach·ing, preach·es

v.   tr.

  1. To proclaim or put forth in a sermon: preached the gospel.

  2. To advocate, especially to urge acceptance of or compliance with: preached tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

  3. To deliver (a sermon).

v.   intr.

  1. To deliver a sermon.

  2. To give religious or moral instruction, especially in a tedious manner.


[Middle English prechen, from Old French preechier, from Late Latin praedicāre, from Latin, to proclaim : prae-, pre- + dicāre, to proclaim; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]
preach'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

preach 
late O.E. predician, a loan word from Church L., reborrowed 12c. as preachen, from O.Fr. prechier (11c.), from L.L. predicare "to proclaim publicly, announce" (in M.L. "to preach"), from L. præ- "forth" + dicare "to proclaim, to say" (see diction). To preach to the converted is recorded from 1867. Preacher (c.1225) is from O.Fr. preecheor, from L. prædicatorem (nom. prædicator), lit. "proclaimer." Slang short form preach (n.) is recorded from 1968.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

preach

In addition to the idiom beginning with preach, also see practice what you preach.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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