Christmastide
|Christ - mas - tide|
/ˈkrɪsməstaɪd/
the Christmas season
Etymology
'Christmastide' originates from Middle English, formed by combining 'Christmas' and 'tide'. 'Christmas' comes from Old English 'Cristes mæsse' (literally 'Christ's mass'), ultimately from Latin 'Christus' (Christ) and 'missa' (mass), while 'tide' comes from Old English 'tid' meaning 'time' or 'season'.
'Christmastide' developed in Middle English by joining the established term 'Christmas' (from Old English 'Cristes mæsse') with the Old English element 'tid'/'tid(e)' meaning 'time, period'; over time the compound became the modern 'Christmastide'.
Initially it referred specifically to the time of Christ's Mass and associated religious observance; over time it has been used more generally to mean the Christmas season or festive period.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the Christmas season; especially the liturgical period of celebration around Christmas (often considered the Twelve Days of Christmas from December 25 to January 5 or 6).
Many villages decorate their churches and streets throughout Christmastide.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/13 20:54