philippic
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
- philippick (obsolete)
Etymology [edit]
Latin philippicus, from Ancient Greek φιλιππικος, from Φιλιππος (“lover of horses”), from φιλο- + ίππος (“horse”).
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /fɪˈlɪpɪk/
Noun [edit]
philippic (plural philippics)
- Any of the discourses of Demosthenes against Philip II of Macedon, defending the liberty of Athens.
- (by extension) Any tirade or declamation full of bitter condemnation.
- 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses:
- Skin-the-Goat, assuming he was he, evidently with an axe to grind, was airing his grievances in a forcible-feeble philippic anent the natural resources of Ireland, or something of that sort, which he described in his lengthy dissertation as the richest country bar none on the face of God’s earth, far and away superior to England
- 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses:
Synonyms [edit]
- See also Wikisaurus:diatribe
