ovations

Noun (1)

ovation (plural ovations)

1. (Ancient-Rome) A victory ceremony of less importance than a triumph.
   • Triumph, a Solemn Honour done to Generals after great Victories, receiving them into Town with Publick Acclamations; there were two ſorts among the Romans; the Great, that was ſimply called Tr[i]umph; and the Little called, Ovation; […] [I]t was by Special Priviledge that L. Cornelius Lentulus...1703, “Triumph”, in An Universal, Historical, Geographical, Chronological and Poetical Dictionary, […], volumes II (M–Z), London: […] J[ohn] Hartley, […]; W. Turner, […]; and Tho[mas] Hodgson, […]...
2. (broadly) A (ceremony for the) recognition of some achievement.
   • Proceede then in your bleſt Inauguration, / And celebrate this Annuall Ovation; / Whilſt you nor this way, nor to that way leane, / But ſhunne th' extreames, to keepe the golden meane.1631, Thomas Heywood, “Vlisses [i.e., Ulysses] His Speech”, in Londons Ius Honorarium. Exprest in Sundry Triumphs, Pagiants, and Shews: At the Initiation or Entrance of the Right Honourable George...
3. (broadly) Prolonged enthusiastic applause.
   • First things first – everyone at Southampton enjoyed a thrilling Euro 2020 qualifier that led to a rousing ovation for both sides at the conclusion of England's chaotic 5-3 victory.2019 September 10, Phil McNulty, “‘England Horribly Fallible in Defence’ against Kosovo in Euro 2020 Qualifying”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 15 Sep 2019

   Antonyms:

   booing, jeering, hissing

Noun (2)

ovation (uncountable)

1. (obsolete, rare) The act of laying eggs.
   • [The ichneumon wasp] drops an egg. She next seeks out a small green caterpillar inhabiting the leaves of the cabbage-plant, which she punctures with her sting, yet so slightly and delicately as not to kill it; she then rolls it up into a circle, and places it in the sandy nest, immediately over the...1825 November, John Mason Good, “Art. I.—On Instinct.”, in Roderick MacLeod, John Bacot, editors, The London Medical and Physical Journal. […], volume LIV, number 4, London: Printed for the...

See all 5 meanings of ovation