PANEEPUT, a district of British India, in the division of Delhi, bounded on the N. and W. by the division of Sirhind, S. by the district of Delhi, and E. by those of Meerut and Mozzafurnuggur. It lies between N. Lat. 28. 50. and 29. 48., E. Long. 76. 40. and 77. 16., having a length of 65 miles from N. to S., a breadth of 30 miles, and an area of 1279 square miles. The surface is flat, and well watered by natural streams and by artificial canals; but in many parts it is quite barren, and covered with a saline incrustation resembling snow in its appearance. The principal river is the Jumna, which flows along the eastern boundary of the district. Pop. (1853) 389,085.
PANEGYRIC (πανηγύρις), an oration in praise of some extraordinary person or thing. The name is composed of pan, all, and agōn, I assemble; because anciently in public and solemn assemblies of the Greeks, either at their games, feasts, fairs, or religious meetings, panegyrics were pronounced. To render these the more solemn, the Greeks used to begin with the praises of the deity in whose honour the games were celebrated; next they descended to the praise of the people or country where they were celebrated; then they
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Pannonia. lauded the princes or magistrates who presided at them; and, lastly, they bestowed eulogies on the champions, especially the conquerors, who had gained the prizes in them.