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Wassailing: meaning, definitions and examples

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wassailing

 

[ wษ™หˆseษชlษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

celebration, tradition

Wassailing is an ancient English custom that involves going from house to house to sing and drink to the health of the household during the Christmas season. It originally meant 'to be in good health' and was used as a toast. Traditionally, groups of people would visit orchards and sing to the trees to promote a good apple harvest for the following year. The act often involved the consumption of spiced ale or cider and was accompanied by songs and merriment.

Synonyms

caroling, celebrating, toasting

Examples of usage

  • They went wassailing through the neighborhood, spreading holiday cheer.
  • The villagers gathered for their annual wassailing event in the orchard.
  • During the party, they enjoyed wassailing with traditional carols and drinks.

Translations

Translations of the word "wassailing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น cantar em celebraรงรฃo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคœเคถเฅเคจ เคฎเคจเคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wassailen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ merayakan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒะฐััะฐะปัŽะฒะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wesoล‚owanie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒฏใƒƒใ‚ปใ‚คใƒชใƒณใ‚ฐ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท wassailing

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ wassailing

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ลŸarkฤฑ sรถylemek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์™€์…€๋ง

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงุญุชูุงู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ wassailing

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ wassailing

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฌขๅบ†

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ wassailing

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ wassailing

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฒะฐััะฐะปะธะฝะณ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ•แƒแƒกแƒ”แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜แƒœแƒ’แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ wassailing

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ wassailing

Word origin

The word 'wassailing' derives from the Old English phrase 'was hรกl', which translates to 'be healthy' or 'be whole'. This term was commonly used as a toast during feasts and celebrations. The custom of wassailing dates back to medieval times, with roots in ancient pagan rituals and folkloric traditions associated with apple orchards and fertility rites. With the advent of Christmas, the practice evolved, incorporating elements of caroling and merry-making, where individuals would sing and share drinks as a means to promote goodwill and health. The ritual is closely tied to the festival of Twelfth Night and has seen various interpretations and adaptations across regions in the UK. Over time, wassailing has become a way to celebrate community spirit and the harvest, while also maintaining a connection to traditional celebrations of joy and health.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,787, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.