Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRAISE, v.t. [D. pryzen, to praise; pryzeeren, to estimate or value; G. preisen, to praise; Dan. priser, to praise, extol or lift up; Sw. prisa; W. prisiaw; Arm. presa; Fr. priser, to prize, to value; It. prezzare; Sp. preciar; Port. prezar, to estimate; prezarse, to boast or glory. It appears that praise, price, prize, are all from one root, the primary sense of which is to lift, to raise, or rather to strain. So from L. tollo, extollo, we have extol. Now in Dan. roser, Sw. rosa, signifies to praise, and it may be questioned whether this is praise without a prefix. The Latin pretium, W. prid, is probably from the same root, denoting that which is taken for a thing sold, or the rising or amount, as we use high; a high value or price; corn is high. In Pers. اَفَرَاْز afaraz, is high, lofty; اَفْرَازِيدَنْ afrazidan, to extol. Qu. Fr. prôner, for prosner.]

1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of personal worth or actions. We praise not Hector, though his name we know / Is great in arms; 'tis hard to praise a foe. – Dryden.
2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works. Praise him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts. – Ps. cxlviii.
3. To express gratitude for personal favors. – Ps. cxxxviii.
4. To do honor to; to display the excellence of. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord. – Ps. cxiv.