esbat

[es-bat]

noun

1. a convocation of witches.

Word History and Origins

Origin of esbat¹

1965–70; apparently a contemporary borrowing of Old French esbat amusement, diversion ( French ébat ), derivative of esbattre frolic, equivalent to es- ex- ¹ + battre < Latin battuere pound, beat; compare obsolete English esbatement amusement

Example Sentences

This was apparently the usual course of the ritual of the Sabbath; the Esbat had less ceremonial, and the religious service was not performed.

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But the Great Assemblies were always held on the four original days, and it is this fact which makes it possible to distinguish with certainty between the Sabbath and the Esbat whenever dates are mentioned.

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Boguet's evidence also points to there being a settled site for the Esbat in each village: 'Les Sorciers du costé de Longchamois s'assembloient en vn pré, qui est sur le grand chemin tirant à S. Claude, où l'on voit les ruines d'vne maison.

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It is not unlikely that she was originally the same as the Queen of Elfhame; in Scotland, however, in the seventeenth century, there is a Maiden of the Coven, which was an important position in the Esbat but entirely distinct from the Queen of Faery, while in other places a woman, not the Queen, is often the officer and holds the highest place after the Grand Master.

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The members of the Coven were apparently bound to attend the weekly Esbat; and it was they who were instructed in and practised magical arts, and who performed all the rites and ceremonies of the cult.

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