Pæ″an (pē′an), n. [L. paean, Gr. παιάν, fr. Παιάν the physician of the gods, later, Apollo. Cf. Pæon, Peony.] [Written also pean.] 1. An ancient Greek hymn in honor of Apollo as a healing deity, and, later, a song addressed to other deities.
2. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph. Dryden. “Public pæans of congratulation.” De Quincey.
3. See Pæon.