/ ˈhɒməli; NAmE ˈhɑːm-/ ( pl. -ies ) noun
( formal , often disapproving ) a speech or piece of writing giving advice on the correct way to behave, etc. :
She delivered a homily on the virtues of family life.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin homilia , from Greek , discourse, conversation (in ecclesiastical use, sermon), from homilos crowd.