wassail

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: revelracketmake whoopiemake merrymake happywhoop it upjollifytoastdrinkpledgesalute

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a punch made of sweetened ale or wine heated with spices and roasted apples; especially at Christmas

Verb (2)

  1. celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities“The members of the wedding party made merry all night”“Let's whoop it up--the boss is gone!”Synonyms: revelracketmake whoopiemake merrymake happywhoop it upjollify
  2. propose a toast to“Let us toast the birthday girl!”“Let's drink to the New Year”Synonyms: toastdrinkpledgesalute
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Wassail \Was"sail\, n. [AS. wes h[=a]l (or an equivalent form in another dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking a health. The form wes is imperative. See Was, and Whole.] [1913 Webster]

1.An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in drinking to some one. [1913 Webster]

Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine, exclaimed, Lord king waes heil, that is, literally, Health be to you.— N. Drake.[1913 Webster]

2.An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. "In merry wassail he . . . peals his loud song." --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail.— Prescott.[1913 Webster]

3.The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly much used in England at Christmas and other festivals, made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast, roasted apples, etc.; -- called also lamb's wool. [1913 Webster]

A jolly wassail bowl, A wassail of good ale.— Old Song.[1913 Webster]

4.A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll assure you.— Beau. & Fl.[1913 Webster]
Wassail \Was"sail\, v. i. To hold a wassail; to carouse. [1913 Webster]

Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in dancing, caroling, and wassailing. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

Wassail \Was"sail\, a. Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as, a wassail bowl. "Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Wassail bowl, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the table. "Spiced wassail bowl." --J. Fletcher. "When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel . . . Its appearance was hailed with acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in Christmas festivity." --W. Irving.

Wassail cup, a cup from which wassail was drunk. [1913 Webster]

Advertisement