Whitsunday

[hwit-suhn-dey, -dee, wit-; hwit-suh n-dey, wit-]

noun

the seventh Sunday after Easter, celebrated as a festival in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

Origin of Whitsunday

before 1100; Middle English whitsonenday, Old English Hwīta Sunnandæg white Sunday; probably so called because the newly baptized wore white robes on that day

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for whit sunday

Whit Sunday

noun

the seventh Sunday after Easter, observed as a feast in commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles 50 days after EasterAlso called: Pentecost

Word Origin for Whit Sunday

Old English hwīta sunnandæg white Sunday, probably named after the ancient custom of wearing white robes at or after baptism

Whitsunday

noun

(in Scotland) May 15, one of the four quarter days

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for whit sunday

Whitsunday

"Pentecost," late Old English Hwita Sunnandæg "white Sunday," possibly from the white baptismal robes worn by newly baptized Christians on this day.