homilist

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who writes or delivers homilies: A "homilist" is an individual who composes or presents homilies, which are short, moralizing sermons or religious discourses, often delivered during a church service or other formal gathering.

Usage Examples

• (The person delivering the sermon focused on the theme of forgiveness.)
• (Early Christian writers and preachers of homilies are remembered for their eloquence.)

Advanced Usage

• "A skilled homilist": A person who is particularly adept at crafting and delivering effective, engaging homilies.

  • The new priest is a skilled homilist, able to connect ancient scripture with modern life. (The priest is proficient at making homilies relevant and understandable.)

• "The homilist's role": The function or responsibility of the person who gives homilies.

  • In many traditions, the homilist's role is to interpret the day's readings for the congregation. (The homilist explains the religious texts to the audience.)

Variants and Related Words

• Homily (n): a short, moralizing sermon or speech.

  • The priest delivered a moving homily on charity. (The sermon was about the virtue of giving.)

• Homiletic (adj): relating to the art of preaching or writing homilies.

  • The course on homiletic theory covered various sermon structures. (The class dealt with the principles of sermon composition.)

Synonyms

• Preacher: a person who delivers sermons, often in a religious context.
• Sermonizer: someone who gives moral or religious speeches (sometimes with a negative connotation of being preachy).
• Orator: a skilled public speaker, though not necessarily religious.

Related Idioms

• (No common idioms directly involve "homilist"; the word is primarily used in formal or religious contexts.)