n. [ OE. sermoun, sermun, F. sermon, fr. L. sermo, -onis, a speaking, discourse, probably fr. serer, sertum, to join, connect; hence, a connected speech. See Series. ] 1. A discourse or address; a talk; a writing; as, the sermons of Chaucer. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically, a discourse delivered in public, usually by a clergyman, for the purpose of religious instruction and grounded on some text or passage of Scripture. [ 1913 Webster ]

This our life exempt from public haunts
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones and good in everything. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His preaching much, but more his practice, wrought,
A living sermon of the truths he taught. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence, a serious address; a lecture on one's conduct or duty; an exhortation or reproof; a homily; -- often in a depreciatory sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. OF. sermoner, F. sermonner to lecture one. ] To speak; to discourse; to compose or deliver a sermon. [ Obs. ] Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

What needeth it to sermon of it more? Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To discourse to or of, as in a sermon. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To tutor; to lecture. [ Poetic ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sermonizer. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A preacher; a sermonizer. [ Derogative or Jocose. ] Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A short sermon. [ Written also sermonette. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Like, or appropriate to, a sermon; grave and didactic. [ R. ] “Conversation . . . satirical or sermonic.” Prof. Wilson. “Sermonical style.” V. Knox. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of discoursing; discourse; instruction; preaching. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Resembling a sermon. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Sermonizer. [ 1913 Webster ]