kermis
Americannoun
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(in the Low Countries) a local, annual outdoor fair or festival.
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a similar entertainment, usually for charitable purposes.
noun
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(formerly, esp in Holland and Northern Germany) an annual country festival or carnival
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a similar event, esp one held to collect money for charity
Etymology
Origin of kermis
1570–80; < Dutch, earlier ker ( c ) misse ( kerc church + misse Mass ); originally a fair at the dedication of a church
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.
He liked the roaring dynamism of the El, and in Election Night, 1907, he combined it with a flushed, disorderly crowd in a sort of modern kermis.
From Time Magazine Archive
Flushing does little to amuse its visitors after the sun has left the sea; and we were very glad of the excuse offered by the Middelburg kermis to return to our inland city each afternoon.
From A Wanderer in Holland by Herbert Marshall, R.W.S.
There had been a kermis at this farm; and kinsfolk had come to eat waffles, ham and custards with their family.
From The Wrack of the Storm by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos
As soon as I finish making the mannikins for the knitting bags at the kermis.
From The Gorgeous Girl by Nalbro Bartley
The Middelburg kermis is a particularly merry one.
From A Wanderer in Holland by Herbert Marshall, R.W.S.
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