encaenia

American

[en-seen-yuh, -see-nee-uh] / ɛnˈsin yə, -ˈsi ni ə /

noun

(used with a plural verb) festive ceremonies commemorating the founding of a city or the consecration of a church.
(often initial capital letter) ceremonies at Oxford University in honor of founders and benefactors.

encaenia British

/ ɛnˈsiːnɪə /

noun

rare a festival of dedication or commemoration

"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

Etymology

Origin of encaenia

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin < Greek enkaínia (neuter plural), equivalent to en- en- ² + -kainia, derivative of kainós new

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023