philippic means any of the discourses of Demosthenes against Philip II of Macedon, defending the liberty of Athens. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 82 out of 100.
philippic is pronounced /fɪˈlɪpɪk/.
Why “philippic” is a great word
PHILIPPIC — [Noun] A bitter verbal tirade or denunciation, especially one delivered in a formal public context. From Latin *philippicus*, from Ancient Greek φιλιππικός (*philippikós*, "relating to Philip"), from Φίλιππος (*Phílippos*, "Philip, lover of horses"), from φίλος (*phílos*, "loving") + ἵππος (*híppos*, "horse"); originally referring to the orations of Demosthenes against Philip II of Macedon. Unlike a "harangue," which is a loud, scolding rant, or a "eulogy," its direct opposite in sentiment, a philippic is condemnation rendered as formal art. It is the cold fury in a statesman's measured cadence, the acid-etched indictment read into the permanent record, the damning speech that strips its target bare—a ritualized dismantling built to outlast the moment of its delivery, a monument of anger forged from the very love of what it seeks to defend.
Etymology
From Latin philippicus, from Ancient Greek φιλιππικός (philippikós), from Φίλιππος (Phílippos, “lover of horses”), from φίλος (phílos, “loving”) + ἵππος (híppos, “horse”).
noun
- Any of the discourses of Demosthenes against Philip II of Macedon, defending the liberty of Athens.“[…] the Bema, from whence Demosthenes thundered his philippics and fired the wavering patriotism of his countrymen.”
- Any tirade or declamation full of bitter condemnation.“Mrs. Ferrars looked exceedingly angry, and drawing herself up more stiffly than ever, pronounced in retort this bitter phillipic; “Miss Morton is Lord Morton’s daughter.””