philippic
/fɪˈlɪpɪk/ noun
Forms philippics philippick
- noun Any of the discourses of Demosthenes against Philip II of Macedon, defending the liberty of Athens.
- noun (by extension) Any tirade or declamation full of bitter condemnation.
Synonyms
admonition condemnation diatribe dithyramb harangue impugnation j'accuse jeremiad polemic rant screed slanging match tirade broadside
Etymology
From Latin philippicus, from Ancient Greek φιλιππικός (philippikós), from Φίλιππος (Phílippos, “lover of horses”), from φίλος (phílos, “loving”) + ἵππος (híppos, “horse”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun Any one of the series of famous orations of Demosthenes, the Grecian orator, denouncing Philip, king of Macedon.
- noun Hence: Any discourse or declamation abounding in acrimonious invective.
Etymology [L. Philippicus belonging to Philip, Philippic, Gr. philippique.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “philippic”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details