— sermonless , adj.
/serr"meuhn/ , n.
1. a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, esp. one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service.
2. any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, esp. on a moral issue.
3. a long, tedious speech.
[ 1150-1200; ME sermon- (s. of sermo ) speech from pulpit, L: discourse, equiv. to ser- (base of serere to link up, organize) + -mon- n. suffix ]
Syn. 2, 3. lecture. 3. harangue, tirade.