I saw a word in the New York Times

I saw a word in the New York Times today and I didn't know what it meant:

"encomium"

I looked it up in the dictionary:

"en·co·mi·um"

"1. Warm, glowing praise."
"2. A formal expression of praise; a tribute. "

I used it in a sentence:

"If I ever get through The New York Times without having to check the dictionary, let the encomium begin."