Midsummer Eve

noun

Chiefly British.

1. the evening preceding Midsummer Day: formerly believed to be a time when witches and other supernatural beings caused widespread mischief.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Midsummer Eve¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

It was exciting to go back into the city, especially this Midsummer Eve.

From Literature

“The winter solstice and the two equinoxes. Midsummer Eve tends to be the rowdiest of them all.”

From Literature

I shall not tell whom I saw walking on my Wild Thyme bank last Midsummer Eve.

From Project Gutenberg

The superstitious inhabitants of the Isle of Man formerly, on Midsummer Eve, lighted fires to the windward side of fields, so that the smoke might pass over the corn.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the immemorial usage in Penzance, and the neighbouring towns and villages, to kindle bonfires and torches on Midsummer Eve....

From Project Gutenberg