Preach (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Preached (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Preaching.] [OE. prechen, OF. preechier, F.
prêcher, fr. L. praedicare to cry in public, to
proclaim; prae before + dicare to make known,
dicere to say; or perhaps from (assumed) LL.
praedictare. See Diction, and cf. Predicate,
Predict.] 1. To proclaim or publish
tidings; specifically, to proclaim the gospel; to discourse publicly
on a religious subject, or from a text of Scripture; to deliver a
sermon.
How shall they preach, except they be
sent?
Rom. x. 15.
From that time Jesus began to
preach.
Matt. iv. 17.
2. To give serious advice on morals or
religion; to discourse in the manner of a preacher.
Preach, v. t. 1. To
proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a formal
religious harangue.
That Cristes gospel truly wolde
preche.
Chaucer.
The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings
unto the meek.
Isa. lxi. 1.
2. To inculcate in public discourse; to urge
with earnestness by public teaching. "I have preached
righteousness in the great congregation." Ps. xl. 9.
3. To deliver or pronounce; as, to
preach a sermon.
4. To teach or instruct by preaching; to
inform by preaching. [R.] "As ye are preached."
Southey.
5. To advise or recommend earnestly.
My master preaches patience to him.
Shak.
To preach down, to oppress, or humiliate by
preaching. Tennyson. -- To preach up,
to exalt by preaching; to preach in support of; as, to preach
up equality.
Preach, n. [Cf. F. prêche,
fr. prêcher. See Preach, v.]
A religious discourse. [Obs.] Hooker.
