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• Childermas
  Childermas

  noun

  Holy Innocents' Day.
• childermas
  childermas

  noun

  Holy Innocents Day, Dec 28

Childermas

American  

[chil-der-muhs] / ˈtʃɪl dər məs /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. Holy Innocents' Day.

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childermas British  

/ ˈtʃɪldəˌmæs /

noun

1. archaic Holy Innocents Day, Dec 28

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Etymology

Origin of Childermas

before 1000; Middle English chyldermasse, equivalent to Old English cildra (genitive plural of cild child ) + mæsse Mass

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Childermas

In the Prologue to the Miracle Play, Childermas Day, 1512, the minstrels are requested to 'do their diligence,' and at the end of the Play to 'geve us a daunce.'

From Shakespeare and Music With Illustrations from the Music of the 16th and 17th centuries by Naylor, Edward W. (Edward Woodall)

These Childermas festivities took place in monastic as well as in secular churches, but they seem to have been more common in nunneries than in male communities.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Power, Eileen

The king of the cockneys is mentioned among the regulations for the sports and shows formerly held in the Middle Temple on Childermas Day, where he had his officers, a marshal, constable, butler, &c.

From 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue by Grose, Francis

If it be lowering or wet on Childermas or Innocence Day, it threatens scarcity and mortality among the weaker sort of young people; but if the day be very fair, it promiseth plenty.

From Notes and Queries, Number 231, April 1, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George

And not only among the Romans and Jews, but also among Christians, a like custom of observing such days is used, especially Childermas or Innocent's day.

From Miscellanies Upon Various Subjects by Aubrey, John