feast-day
|feast-day|
/ˈfiːst.deɪ/
festival day
Etymology
'feast-day' originates from English as a compound of 'feast' and 'day'. 'Feast' ultimately comes from Latin 'festum' (via Old French 'feste'), meaning 'festival' or 'feast'; 'day' comes from Old English 'dæg', meaning 'day'.
'feast' passed from Latin 'festum' into Old French as 'feste' and then into Middle English as 'fest'/'feast'; 'day' comes from Old English 'dæg'. These elements combined in Middle English to form compounds like 'feast-day' to denote a festival day.
Originally, 'feast' referred specifically to a festival or religious celebration and 'feast-day' denoted the specific day of observance; over time the compound retained that primary sense and also took on broader, sometimes secular senses of a day of celebration or abundance.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a day appointed for religious celebration or observance; a holy day commemorating a saint, event, or religious festival.
The village celebrates the feast-day of its patron saint every June.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
a day on which a large or special meal is eaten; a day of banquet and celebration.
After the successful harvest they held a feast-day for the whole community.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/20 21:07