Hallowmas
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What is Hallowmas? Hallowmas is an older name for All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday in honor of all the Christian saints. It originated as a holiday of the Catholic Church, but it is also observed by some other Christians. The day after All Saints’ Day is All Souls’ Day, a Christian holiday of solemn prayer for all dead persons. Other names for the day include Allhallows and Allhallowmas. The night before was known as Allhallows Eve, which is where the word Halloween comes from.
Etymology
Origin of Hallowmas
1375–1425; late Middle English; short for Allhallowmas
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But if cut before Hallowmas, it was called the Maiden; if cut after sunset, it was called the Witch, being supposed to bring bad luck.
From The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer
It was Hallowmas Eve, and Giles had been the bearer of an urgent invitation from Dennet to her friend Aldonza to come and join the diversions of the evening.
From The Armourer's Prentices by W.J. Hennessy
“Once on Hallowmas Eve, looking from the window at Whitehall; once when waiting with the Queen under the wall of Lambeth Church, on the night of our flight.”
From A Reputed Changeling Or Three Seventh Years Two Centuries Ago by Charlotte Mary Yonge
At even o' Hallowmas no sleep I sought, But to the field a bag of hemp-seed brought.
From The Book of Hallowe'en by Ruth Edna Kelley
The season of Hallowmas, having been frequently mild, has been, from time immemorial, proverbially called “All-hallown summer,” i. e., late summer.
From Folk-lore of Shakespeare by Thomas Firminger Thiselton-Dyer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
