Feastday

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A day specifically reserved for commemorating an important event or figure, often involving special rituals or celebrations
2. An occasion marked by festive gatherings and religious ceremonies to honor a saint or historical milestone
3. A designated day set aside for celebrating a significant religious or historical figure, typically featuring diverse festivities and rituals

Etymology: "Feastday" is a compound of "feast" and "day," and its history lies mostly in the two parts. "Feast" came into English from Old French "feste," which descended from Latin "festa," the plural of "festum," meaning a religious festival or holiday. The Latin word is linked to "festus," joyful or festive, and the notion that a feast was a day set apart for celebration is built into the root itself. "Day" is an old native English word, from Old English "dæg," so the compound is a mix of a French-borrowed element and a Germanic one. Strictly speaking, "feast day" is the standard spelling, and the closed form is an uncommon variant. The two-word form is the one you will find most often in religious calendars and reference works.

Synonyms: holiday, celebration, festival, observance, commemoration