pæan

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Originally, a hymn to a help-giving god, especially Apollo, under the title of Pæan or Pæon, containing the invocation ‘Io Pæan’ (ἰω\ or ἰήεΠαιάν), asking for aid in war or other trouble, or giving thanks for aid received; hence, a war-song sung before a battle in honor of Ares, or after a battle as a thanksgiving to Apollo; in later times, a hymn in praise of other gods, or even of mortals; hence, a song of triumph generally; a loud and joyous song.
2. n. See pæon.

Wiktionary

1. n. alternative spelling of paean.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. An ancient Greek hymn in honor of Apollo as a healing deity, and, later, a song addressed to other deities.
2. n. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph, joy, or praise.
3. n. See Pæon.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a formal expression of praise
2. n. (ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)