Hallowmas

American  

[hal-oh-muhs, -mas] / ˈhæl oʊ məs, -ˌmæs /

noun

1. the feast of Allhallows or All Saints' Day, on November 1.

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Hallowmas British  

/ ˈhæləʊˌmæs /

noun

1. archaic the feast celebrating All Saints' Day

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Usage

What is Hallowmas? Hallowmas is an older name for All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday in honor of all the Christian saints. It originated as a holiday of the Catholic Church, but it is also observed by some other Christians. The day after All Saints’ Day is All Souls’ Day, a Christian holiday of solemn prayer for all dead persons. Other names for the day include Allhallows and Allhallowmas. The night before was known as Allhallows Eve, which is where the word Halloween comes from.

Etymology

Origin of Hallowmas

1375–1425; late Middle English; short for Allhallowmas

Example Sentences

So ye see it was Hallowmas Night, and looking on sea and land sat I; and my heart wandering to other thoughts soon made me forget my youthful company at hame. 

From Folk-Lore and Legends Scotland by Anonymous

“Once on Hallowmas Eve, looking from the window at Whitehall; once when waiting with the Queen under the wall of Lambeth Church, on the night of our flight.”

From A Reputed Changeling Or Three Seventh Years Two Centuries Ago by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth here, sir, a man of fourscore pound a-year; whose father died at Hallowmas:—was't not at Hallowmas, Master Froth?

From Measure for Measure by Shakespeare, William

Now wasna that a bonnie and fearful sight to see beneath the light of the Hallowmas moon? 

From Folk-Lore and Legends Scotland by Anonymous

And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas:—was’t not at Hallowmas, Master Froth?—

From Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] by Glover, John, librarian of Trinity College, Cambridge