éloge

Éloge is a French noun meaning praise or eulogy. It can refer to the act of praising someone or something in speech or writing, and it is commonly used to designate a formal oratory in honor of a person, such as a funeral oration (éloge funèbre). Beyond formal occasions, éloge may denote a laudatory passage, essay, or letter that extols the virtues of a person, a work, or an idea.

Etymology and related forms: Éloge derives from the verb éloger, which in turn comes from Latin elogium and Greek eulogía (literally “good-speaking”). The term retains the sense of presenting favorable, praiseworthy observations. The adjective élogieux describes something that is laudatory or praiseworthy, while louange is a closely related noun for general praise.

Usage and nuances: In everyday French, one says “faire l’éloge de quelqu’un” to praise someone, or “l’éloge d’un livre” to praise a book. In ceremonial contexts, an éloge funèbre is the formal tribute delivered at a funeral. Although often positive, éloges can be crafted to commend specific qualities, achievements, or contributions, and are sometimes contrasted with more critical or neutral forms of assessment.

See also: Louange, laudation. In literature and rhetoric, éloge functions as a genre or device aimed at praising a subject, either in isolated pieces or as part of a larger speech or essay.