Crossword clues for philippic
philippic
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Philippic \Phi*lip"pic\, n. [L. Philippicus belonging to Philip, Philippic, Gr. ?, fr. ? Philip, ? fond of horses: cf. F. philippique.]
Any one of the series of famous orations of Demosthenes, the Grecian orator, denouncing Philip, king of Macedon.
Hence: Any discourse or declamation abounding in acrimonious invective.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1590s, "bitter invective discourse," from Middle French philippique, from Latin (orationes) Philippicæ, translation of Greek Philippikoi (logoi), the speeches made in Athens by Demosthenes in 351-341 B.C.E. urging Greeks to unite and fight the rising power of Philip II of Macedon. The Latin phrase was used of the speeches made by Cicero against Marc Antony in 44 and 43 B.C.E.
Wiktionary
n. 1 Any of the discourses of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demosthenes against http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip%20II%20of%20Macedon, defending the liberty of Athens. 2 (context by extension English) Any tirade or declamation full of bitter condemnation.
WordNet
Wikipedia
A philippic (/fɪˈlɪpɪk/) is a fiery, damning speech, or tirade, delivered to condemn a particular political actor. The term is most famously associated with two noted orators of the ancient world, Demosthenes of Athens and the Roman Cicero, although it can be applied to any speech of this type.
Usage examples of "philippic".
The fair Argemone has just been treating me to her three hundred and sixty-fifth philippic against my unoffending beard.
Through this, Williams, the languid typesetter, peered up at intervals from the vast cryptic crossword he was composing to catch the latest philippic directed towards a certain newly arrived police inspectre.
In the distance was the ancient, but still almost perfect Temple of Theseus, and close by, looking to the west, was the Bema, from whence Demosthenes thundered his philippics and fired the wavering patriotism of his countrymen.
The gruel came and supplied a great deal to be said--much praise and many comments-- undoubting decision of its wholesomeness for every constitution, and pretty severe Philippics upon the many houses where it was never met with tolerable.