Here's why:
* Odes are poems that celebrate a specific subject. This subject can be a person, a place, an object, an idea, or an event.
* The primary purpose of an ode is to express admiration and appreciation for the subject. It's a formal and elevated expression of praise.
While other words like "poetry," "lyricism," and "emotion" can also be associated with odes, "praise" is the most fundamental and defining characteristic.