/hom"euh lee/ , n. , pl. homilies .
1. a sermon, usually on a Biblical topic and usually of a nondoctrinal nature.
2. an admonitory or moralizing discourse.
3. an inspirational saying or cliché.
[ 1545-55; homilia homilía assembly, sermon, equiv. to hómil ( os ) crowd ( hom ( oû ) together + -ilos, masc. comb. form of íle (fem.) crowd) + -ia -Y 3 ; r. ME omelie ]