Martinmas

American  

[mahr-tn-muhs] / ˈmɑr tn məs /

noun

1. a church festival, November 11, in honor of St. Martin.

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Martinmas British  

/ ˈmɑːtɪnməs /

noun

1. the feast of St Martin on Nov 11; one of the four quarter days in Scotland

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Etymology

Origin of Martinmas

1250–1300; Middle English Martinmasse. See Saint (Saint) Martin, Mass ( def. )

Example Sentences

The rotation of crops was unknown; and winter food for sheep and cattle not being raised, the greater number were slaughtered and salted at Martinmas.

From Knowledge is Power: A View of the Productive Forces of Modern Society and the Results of Labor, Capital and Skill. by Knight, Charles

The art of winter fattening of sheep and cattle was unknown, and so artificially preserved meat had to be depended upon after Martinmas, or at the best between Christmas and spring.

From Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland by Scott, Daniel

"Well, I had a longing to see my eldest daughter and my only son," she said lovingly; "and besides, to-day is Martinmas."

From A Sister's Love A Novel by Heimburg, W.

As their yearly servitude happened to terminate alike at Martinmas, Mrs. Edwards kindly proposed their continuance on the farm whilst Ales completed some needful preparations, and Evan made his important journey to Cardiff.

From The Making of William Edwards or The Story of the Bridge of Beauty by Banks, Mrs. G. Linnaeus

In the latter district it appears as a bird of passage in November; and about Martinmas it is so abundant as to become a staple article of food.

From British Birds in their Haunts by Johns, Rev. C. A.