hom ‧ i ‧ ly /ˈhɒməli, ˈhɒmɪli $ ˈhɑː-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural homilies ) [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: omilie , from Greek homilia 'conversation' ]
1 . formal advice about how to behave that is often unwanted
2 . literary a speech given as part of a Christian church ceremony