English Explanatory Dictionary

Childermas

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. A religious service and holiday commemorating the supposed Massacre of the Innocents in Judea around the time of the birth of Christ, typically observed on 28 December in Western Christianity and 29 December in Eastern Christianity; in Spanish and Latin American contexts, the day is frequently filled with light-hearted pranks similar to April Fools' Day.

Word forms

Childermas Childermases Childermas-Day

Etymology

From Childermas-Day, from Middle English Childermasse day, from Old English Ċildamæsse dæg, from ċilda (“children's”) + mæsse (“mass, religious service”) + dæġ (“day”), equivalent to childer + -mas.

Synonyms

Holy Innocents' Day Innocents' Day

Related words

Massacre of the Innocents
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