kermess

Variant of kermis

kermis definition

ker·mis or kermess ker′·mess (kʉr′mis)

noun

  1. in the Netherlands, Belgium, etc., an outdoor fair or carnival
  2. ☆ any somewhat similar fair or entertainment, held usually for charity

Etymology: Du kermis, orig. kerkmis < kerk, church + mis, Mass: orig. the feast day of the local patron saint, hence, a fair or carnival held on that day

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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