festival

Definition

Pertaining to a feast or feast day; festive. (Now only as the noun used attributively.)

Etymology

From Middle English festival (adjective), from Old French festival (“festive”), from Late Latin fēstīvālis, from Latin fēstīvus (“festive”). By surface analysis, festive + -al. Displaced native Old English frēols. The noun is shortened from festival day, from Middle English festival dai, festiuall day (“feast day, festival”).

Example Sentences

• "the temple of the Gods […] / Whom all the people decke with girlands greene, / And honour in their festiuall resort […]"