praise

Definitions

From Old French preisier ('to value, esteem'), itself from Latin pretiare ('to price'). To praise someone is literally to estimate their worth out loud and high — to publicly 'put a price' on how good they are. This is the same Latin verb behind appraise; praise drifted toward emotion and worship, appraise toward technical valuation.

Why It Means This

Praise hides its origin completely — few learners guess it shares a root with 'price.' But to praise is to appraise warmly: through Old French preisier, you set a high value on someone in words. That's why praise and appraise are twins from one Latin verb (pretiare), one turned emotional, the other professional.

Common Collocations

• 1.praise someone for因……表扬某人
• 2.heap praise on对……大加赞扬
• 3.high praise高度赞扬
• 4.in praise of赞颂……
• 5.sing someone's praises对某人赞不绝口

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The teacher praised the students for their hard work.

• 2.

  Critics praised the film for its honest performances.

• 3.

  She received high praise for her handling of the crisis.

• 4.

  The choir gathered to sing praise.

Easily Confused

praise vs compliment vs flatter — praise is genuine approval of real worth (praise her work); a compliment is a polite, often small, nice remark (compliment her dress); flatter is praise that's exaggerated or insincere, usually to gain something. Praise = deserved; flatter = self-serving.