Paian
/paɪˈæn/noun
An ancient Greek epithet of Apollo as a healer, also associated with a hymn of thanksgiving or deliverance.
Did you know?In ancient Greece, Paian could function both as a title of Apollo and as the name of a ritual hymn calling for divine healing.
Etymological Timeline
Mycenaean Greek, 2nd millennium BCE
Mycenaean Greek
pa-ja-wo-ne
“A form possibly connected with Paian or Paeon, though its exact interpretation remains debated.”
Archaic Greek
Ancient Greek
Παιάν (Paiān)
“A divine healer or healer-god; an epithet associated especially with Apollo.”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
παιάν (paián)
“A hymn or chant of invocation, thanksgiving, or victory, often addressed to Apollo.”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
Παιάν (Paiān)
“A traditional sacred song used in religious, military, and healing contexts.”
Latin Antiquity
Latin
paean
“A hymn of praise or triumph, borrowed from Greek.”
Modern English
English
paean
“A fervent expression of praise; Paian survives chiefly as a scholarly transliteration or divine epithet.”