esbat

American  

[es-bat] / ˈɛs bæt /

noun

1. a convocation of witches.

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Etymology

Origin of esbat

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

There were two kinds of assemblies; the one, known as the Sabbath, was the General Meeting of all the members of the religion; the other, to which I give—on the authority of Estebène de Cambrue—the name of Esbat, was only for the special and limited number who carried out the rites and practices of the cult, and was not for the general public.

From Project Gutenberg

In an immense majority of cases the means of locomotion are not even mentioned, presumably therefore the witches went on foot, as would naturally be the case in going to the local meeting or Esbat, which was attended only by those who lived near.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Esbat differed from the Sabbath by being primarily for business, whereas the Sabbath was purely religious.

From Project Gutenberg

The business carried on at the Esbat was usually the practice of magic for the benefit of a client or for the harming of an enemy.

From Project Gutenberg