Martinmas definition

märtn-məs
A Christian feast observed on November 11 in commemoration of the death and burial of Saint Martin of Tours.
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Saint Martin's day, a church festival held on Nov. 11
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
martinmas
Plural:
martinmases

Origin of martinmas

  • Middle English martinmesse Martin , Saint Martin of Tours messe, masse Mass Mass

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Martinmas Sentence Examples

  • Agricultural leases usually contain special provisions as to the order of cropping, the proper stocking of the farm, and the rights of the incoming and outgoing tenant with regard to the waygoing crop. Where the rent is in money, it is generally payable at Whitsunday and Martinmas - the two " legal terms."

  • The Feast of St Martin (Martinmas) took the place of an old pagan festival, and inherited some of its usages (such as the Martinsmdnnchen, Martinsfeuer, Martinshorn and the like, in various parts of Germany); by this circumstance is probably to be explained the fact that Martin is regarded as the patron of drinking and jovial meetings, as well as of reformed drunkards.

  • Situated on the high road from Berlin to Silesia, and having an extensive system of water communication by means of the Oder and its canals to the Vistula and the Elbe, and being an important railway centre, it has a lively export trade, which is further fostered by its three annual fairs, held respectively at Reminiscere (the second Sunday in Lent), St Margaret's day and at Martinmas.

  • It was one of the old quarter-days, being equivalent to midsummer, the others being Martinmas, equivalent to Michaelmas, Candlemas (Christmas) and Whitsuntide (Easter).

  • The Martinmas fair was granted in 1604.

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Words near martinmas in the Dictionary