Candlemas
/ˈkæn.dəl.məs/ noun
Forms Candlemases Candlemass
- noun The festival in the Christian year celebrated on February 2nd. It commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple.
- noun A quarter day in Scotland.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English Candelmasse, from Old English Candelmæsse, equivalent to candle + -mas, following the tradition that the candles to be used in church during the following year are blessed on this day. Compare Old Norse kyndilsmessa (“Candlemas”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun The second day of February, on which is celebrated the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary; --so called because the candles for the altar or other sacred uses are blessed on that day.
- noun The illumination given by a standard candle at a distance of one meter; --used as a unit of illumination, except in Great Britain.
Etymology [AS. candelmæsse, candel candle _ mæsse mass.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “Candlemas”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details