Wassailing: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
wassailing
[ wษหseษชlษชล ]
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:
๐ต๐น cantar em celebraรงรฃo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคถเฅเคจ เคฎเคจเคพเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Wassailen
๐ฎ๐ฉ merayakan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฒะฐััะฐะปัะฒะฐะฝะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ wesoลowanie
๐ฏ๐ต ใฏใใปใคใชใณใฐ
๐ซ๐ท wassailing
๐ช๐ธ wassailing
๐น๐ท ลarkฤฑ sรถylemek
๐ฐ๐ท ์์ ๋ง
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงุญุชูุงู
๐จ๐ฟ wassailing
๐ธ๐ฐ wassailing
๐จ๐ณ ๆฌขๅบ
๐ธ๐ฎ wassailing
๐ฎ๐ธ wassailing
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฒะฐััะฐะปะธะฝะณ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแกแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ wassailing
๐ฒ๐ฝ wassailing
Etymology
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.
- ...
- 41784 tidiest
- 41785 hoovering
- 41786 pettier
- 41787 wassailing
- 41788 blackballing
- 41789 whodunnit
- 41790 chronologist
- ...