Saturnalia

(sat′ər nālē ə, -nāl)

noun pl. Saturnalias or Saturnalia

  1. the ancient Roman festival of Saturn, held about Dec. 17, with general feasting and revelry in celebration of the winter solstice
  2. any period or occasion of unrestrained, often orgiastic, revelry

Origin: L, neut. pl. of Saturnalis, of Saturn

See Saturnalia in American Heritage Dictionary 4

plural noun
  1. Saturnalia The ancient Roman seven-day festival of Saturn, which began on December 17.
  2. (used with a sing. verb) A celebration marked by unrestrained revelry and often licentiousness; an orgy.

Origin:

Origin: Latin Sāturnālia

Origin: , from neuter pl. of Sāturnālis, Saturnian

Origin: , from Sāturnus, Saturn; see Saturn

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