Candlemas

[ kan-dl-muhs, -mas ]

noun

1. a church festival, February 2, in honor of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary: candles are blessed on this day.

Candlemas

/ ˈkændəlməs /

noun

1. Christianity Feb 2, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the Temple: the day on which the church candles are blessed. In Scotland it is one of the four quarter days

Word History and Origins

Origin of Candlemas¹

before 1050; Middle English candelmasse, Old English candelmæsse. See candle, Mass ( def )

Example Sentences

His Flutiness the Duke—the title was granted last Candlemas—has a voice of a rare richness.

From Project Gutenberg

At its best, it has the continent of Antarctica beat four thousand ways from a week ago last Candlemas.

From Project Gutenberg

People in Scotland also prognosticated the weather of the coming season, according to whether Candlemas was clear or foul.

From Project Gutenberg

He says that ‘about Candlemas we had wrought the wall half through,’ and then goes on to describe how he stood sentinel, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

Not common candles she was going to use, but what had been blessed at Candlemas, and that she had kept put by very carefully.

From Project Gutenberg