Christmas

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkrɪsməs/

noun (plural Christmases)

  • the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ’s birth, held on 25 December in the Western Church: he was a vehement sabbatarian and iconoclast, who denounced the observance of Christmas [as modifier]: a Christmas present
  • the period immediately before and after 25 December: we had guests over Christmas

exclamation

informal
  • expressing surprise, dismay, or despair.

Derivatives

Christmassy

adjective

Origin:

Old English Crīstes mæsse (see Christ, Mass)