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Saturnalia definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn
2: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity [syn: orgy, debauch, debauchery, saturnalia, riot, bacchanal, bacchanalia, drunken revelry]

Merriam Webster's

noun plural but singular or plural in construction Etymology: Latin, from neuter plural of saturnalis of Saturn, from Saturnus Date: 1591 1. capitalized the festival of Saturn in ancient Rome beginning on December 17 2. singular, plural saturnalias also saturnalia a. an unrestrained often licentious celebration ; orgy b. excess, extravagance • saturnalian adjective • saturnalianly adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. same or saturnalias) 1 (usu. Saturnalia) Rom.Hist. the festival of Saturn in December, characterized by unrestrained merrymaking for all, the predecessor of Christmas. 2 (as sing. or pl.) a scene of wild revelry or tumult; an orgy. Derivatives: saturnalian adj. Etymology: L, neut. pl. of Saturnalis (as SATURN)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Saturnalia Sat`ur*na"li*a, n. pl. [L. See Saturn.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) The festival of Saturn, celebrated in December, originally during one day, but afterward during seven days, as a period of unrestrained license and merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves. 2. Hence: A period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. pl. [L.] Revels, orgies, feasts.