Advertisement

Advertisement

Beltane

[ bel-teyn, -tin ]

noun

  1. an ancient Celtic festival observed on May Day in Scotland and Ireland to mark the beginning of summer.


Beltane

/ -tən; ˈbɛlteɪn /

noun

  1. an ancient Celtic festival with a sacrificial bonfire on May Day. It is also celebrated by modern pagans
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Beltane1

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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Beltane1

C15: from Scottish Gaelic bealltainn
Discover More

Example Sentences

This form of the Beltane superstition was observed in the north of England, and in Scotland, about fifty years ago.

A relic of this worship lingered until recently in the Beltane fires that were lit on the high hills of Scotland and Ireland.

In the central highlands of Scotland the Beltane fires were kindled on the 1st of May.

The Highlanders have a proverb, “he is between two beltane fires.”

The name of the old festival of Beltane still lingers on the hill.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


belt-and-bracesbelt bag