Beltane
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of Beltane
1375–1425; late Middle English ( Scots ) < Scots Gaelic bealltainn, Old Irish bel ( l ) taine, perhaps equivalent to *bel- an obscure element, perhaps the name of a supernatural person + tene fire
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She crosses the video game’s Scottish Highlands on her journey to the coast in time for the Gaelic May Day festival Beltane, where her uncle, a lighthouse keeper, is waiting.
From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
The first recorded mention of Beltane was in the 10th century CE text "Cormac's Glossary," known in Gaelic as "Sanas Cormaic."
From Salon ● May 2, 2022
People were keen to please the fairies, known in Gaelic as the aos sí, who were believed to be particularly mischievous around Beltane and Samhain.
From Salon ● May 2, 2022
A leathery dominatrix holding hands with a unicorn wished me, using the customary parlance, a happy Beltane.
From New York Times ● Aug. 6, 2015
As already mentioned, the Romans held several festivals at the beginning of summer, and many of their observances on these occasions were introduced into this country, and became incorporated with the Beltane practices.
From Folk Lore Superstitious Beliefs in the West of Scotland within This Century by James Napier
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