Revelynge

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. Boisterous merrymaking and festive fun, often late into the night ; the act of taking great pleasure in lively celebration and carefree indulgence
2. Noisy, joyful festivity enjoyed by a crowd ; the process of delighting in celebration and wild, carefree enjoyment
3. Festive, rowdy partying that people enjoy together ; an ongoing state of indulging in merry, boisterous pleasure

Etymology: Revelling began as a word for rebellion. Its source, Old French "reveler", meant to rebel, revolt, or make a loud disturbance. It goes back to Latin "rebellare", which is also the ancestor of "rebel". The sense of festive merrymaking grew out of the noise and disorder of unruly gatherings, so revelry and rebellion were once close kin. The spelling here, with its "-ynge" ending, is a Middle English form of the verbal noun and participle. English took the verb from French, and the festive sense came to dominate while the older meaning of revolt faded from everyday use.