I. An appellation of Apollo, as the healing deity: “signum Paeanis,” Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 57, § 127: “Paeana voca,” Ov. M. 14, 720; Juv. 6, 172; cf. Fest. p. 222 Müll.; Macr. S. 1, 17.—
II. Transf.
A. A religious hymn, orig. in honor of Apollo, but also transf. to other deities, a festive hymn, hymn of triumph or praise, a pœan: “conclamant socii laetum paeana secuti,” Verg. A. 10, 738; id. ib. 6, 657: “Herculeum paeana canunt,” Stat. Th. 4, 157: “paeanem citare,” Cic. de Or. 1, 59, 251.—As a simple exclamation, like hymenaee: “dicite io Paean, et io bis dicite Paean,” shout huzza! Ov. A. A. 2, 1.—
B. The prevailing foot in the versification of such hymns, consisting of one long syllable and three short ones, Cic. Or. 64, 215 and 218 (commonly written paeon, q. v.).
