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.
And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth here, sir; a man of fourscore pound a year; whose father died at Hallowmas:—was’t not at Hallowmas, Master Froth?—
From Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] by Glover, John, librarian of Trinity College, Cambridge
As Shakspeare says: "My queen to France, from whence set forth in pomp, She came adorned hither like sweet May, Sent back like Hallowmas or shortest day."
From St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, Nov 1877-Nov 1878 No 1, Nov 1877 by Dodge, Mary Mapes
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 Hennessy, W.J.
Now wasna that a bonnie and fearful sight to see beneath the light of the Hallowmas moon?
From Folk-Lore and Legends Scotland by Anonymous
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 Thiselton-Dyer, Thomas Firminger
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.
