| 释义 |
Christmasn.1int. Origin: Perhaps of multiple origins. Partly formed within English, by compounding. Perhaps also partly formed within English, by clipping or shortening. Etymons: Christ n., mass n.1, -mas comb. form; Christenmas n. Etymology: In α. forms < the genitive of Christ n. + mass n.1 In β. and γ. forms probably partly < Christ n. + -mas comb. form, and partly reflecting simplification of the medial consonant cluster of the α. forms; some forms may alternatively reflect a shortening of Christenmas n. The δ. forms show loss of the medial t , as a simplification of the medial consonant cluster (as also reflected in the modern standard English pronunciation /ˈkrɪsməs/). Compare yule n. 2 (attested significantly earlier in this sense within the Old English period) and also nativity n. 1.Compare Middle Dutch kerstmesse , kersmisse (Dutch Kerstmis ), Middle Low German kristmisse , kerstmisse , kerstesmisse , both in the senses ‘Christmas, also any of the Masses celebrated on that day’, and Middle High German kristesmesse , kristmesse (German Christmesse ), mass celebrated on the night of the 24th to the 25th of December. The vowel of the first syllable may originally have been long (compare discussion at Christ n. and int.), with subsequent trisyllabic shortening in late Old English. With abbreviations such as Old English xp̄esmæsse compare discussion at Christ n. and int. and at X n. 10. With Christmas Day n. at Compounds 2 compare mass-day n. A. n.1society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Christmas > [noun] OE Wulfstan Homily: Be Cristendome (York) in A. S. Napier (1883) 311 Leohtgescot gelæste man be wite to Cristesmæssan and to candelmæssan and to eastron. lOE (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1127 Ðis gear heald se kyng Heanri his hird æt Cristesmæsse on Windlesoure. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) l. 481 To cristes masse Þane riche & poure more & lasse, Singeþ cundut niȝt & dai, Ich hom helpe what ich mai. 1340 (1866) 213 Ine zuyche festes ase at cristesmesse..hou he wes ybore of þe mayde. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) iii. 83 At crystmasse and at ester, men ought to go vysit and see his good frende. 1569 R. Grafton II. 54 He went to Windsore, where he..kept his Christmas. 1614 W. Camden (rev. ed.) 305 Christmas commeth but once a yeare. 1697 W. Dampier iii. 56 Privateers, who resort hither in the aforesaid months [sc. May–Aug], purposely to keep a Christmas as they call it. 1712 R. Steele No. 509. ⁋3 The Beadles and Officers have the Impudence at Christmas to ask for their Box. 1748 H. Walpole 26 Dec. (1857) II. 139 Here am I come down to what you call keep my Christmas. 1820 W. Irving 189 Revelry was permitted..through the twelve days of Christmas. 1843 C. Dickens v. 166 It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. 1921 24 Nov. 40/3 Christmas..seems to be the one day in the calendar on which every Englishman retires into his own home and pulls up the drawbridge. 2011 23 Dec. 4/1 Certain traditional events tell you Christmas really is on its way; opening the first windows on the Advent Calendar, the festive cover on the Radio Times. 2. As a mass noun. the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > [noun] > ornamentation or decoration > an ornament > specific the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > cultivated or ornamental trees and shrubs > [noun] > holly 1706 25–28 Dec. 2/1 Who first order'd the Windows to be stuck with Christmas? 1766 J. Cleland 96 That kind of verdure which is used to deck the windows, and old halls, we now, by metonymy, call Christmas. 1837 C. Dickens xxviii. 290 ‘Wery good,’ said Sam, ‘stick a bit o' Christmas in 'em [sc. mince pies].’ 1862 24 May 113/1 Frank, who had been out, had entered the house with his arms full of holly and ivy... ‘Look at this lot of Christmas, mamma!’ cried he. ‘I have bought it.’ 1960 A. O. D. Claxton (ed. 2) 26 Christmas, holly or evergreens for Christmas decorations. 2018 @PlaidKatDesigns 2 Dec. in twitter.com (accessed 30 May 2019) Slowly I'm getting some of the Christmas up in our house. Our quirky tree and all the mis-matched plaid. 1896 A. Blair 21 He'll be sendin's some Christmas. 1933 F. Niven 90 The milkman gave him a small pot of cream along with the day's milk, saying, ‘There's her Christmas tae her.’ 2018 @mrsjsmejones 23 Nov. in twitter.com (accessed 30 May 2019) I don't think I've ever been as ready for Thanksgiving to be over. Just really want some Christmas in my life. B. int.the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection] the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > oaths other than religious or obscene > mild oaths 1882 3 Jan. 5/2 ‘Jimminy Christmas!’ continued the proprietor, ‘does you fellers think this is the Egyptian chamber at the Palmer House?’ 1890 J. R. Furlong ii. 28 Oh Christmas! (drops bottle; it breaks) We're cotched sure! 1930 ‘E. Queen’ xxxvi. 276 Christmas!.. How stupid I've been! 1959 N. Marsh (1960) vi. 192 ‘All right with you, Bertie?’ ‘Oh, Christmas!’ he said. ‘I suppose so.’ 2018 @nekoama 27 July in twitter.com (accessed 23 May 2019) Oh christmas, I uploaded the wrong final panel! Phrases1917 20 July 5/4 Christmas in July. Acting on the suggestion of Bert Kalmar, the Lights in their clubhouse at Freeport, L. I., have decided to celebrate the winter holidays in the summertime. 1980 17 June (Style section) b1/1 There was a ‘Christmas in June’ party last week under the plastic trees at the Playboy Club at Great Gorge, N.J., complete with Santa and Christmas carols. 2016 (Nexis) 21 Mar. 30 For us Aussies, who celebrate Christmas in the peak of summer with seafood and salads, Christmas in July is a way we can experience a traditional Northern Hemisphere ‘winter’ Christmas. P2. the world > action or operation > prosperity > in prosperous condition [phrase] > fortunately > one is experiencing good fortune 1919 25 Dec. 2/3 Christmas came early to one member of the Payroll department. He appeared bright and early..Monday morning wearing a fine, fuzzy, black sky piece with a bright red lining. 1969 4 Nov. 34/3 'Christmas came early this year', said Mrs. Frank Mullen today after her 3-year-old son Mark was located by searchers after an all-night hunt through the wooded area near his home. 2015 @higeorgeshelley 23 Aug. in twitter.com (accessed 11 Jan. 2019) Next Sunday. Christmas come early. Hyped for @fusionfest its going to be epic! the world > action or operation > prosperity > in prosperous condition [phrase] > fortunately > one is experiencing good fortune 1953 18 June 19/3 Pianist ‘Beetles’ Young..thinks all his Christmases have come at once... The State Government Lotteries presented ‘Beetles’ with £6000 to share with fellow musician Frank Marcy. 1999 J. Burchill xiv. 206 Michaela turns to me and smiles as if all her Christmases have come at once. 2015 A. Templeton viii. They [sc. the media] had loved rehashing the original scandal—with pretty girls, sex, drugs and tragedy, and now..a murder, it was all their Christmases come at once. Compounds C1. As a modifier. OE (Tiber. B.iv) anno 1021 Her on þisan geare..Ælfgar biscop se ælmesfulla forðferde on Cristesmæsseuhtan. lOE Permission to ring Bells, Exeter in J. Earle (1888) 260 Þat yc..gef leaua ðam munche on Sancte Nicholaus minstre to hringinde hyre tyde be dage & be nihte, hwanne hy efre willat..bute an Cristesmasseniht, & giestersunneue. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 283 I craue in þis court a crystemas gomen. c1475 (1969) l. 332 (MED) We wyll cum gyf yow a Crystemes songe. a1500 in R. L. Greene (1935) 132 The fyrst branch was of gret myght, That spronge on Crystmas nyght. 1579 E. Spenser Dec. 26 To..gather nuttes to make me Christmas game. 1591 R. Greene xxxiii He kept no Christmas-house for once a year. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) Intr. ii. 134 A Christmas gambold, or a tumbling tricke. View more context for this quotation 1648 R. Herrick sig. Z Kindle the Christmas Brand and then Till Sunne-set, let it burne. 1721 R. Palmer Let. 15 Apr. in M. M. Verney (1930) II. xxiv. 86 In the Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun holidays, our penny post comes but once a day. 1799 R. Southey xv Watching the children at their Christmas mirth. a1817 J. Austen (1818) IV. ii. 34 I hope I shall remember, in future,..not to call at Uppercross in the Christmas holidays. View more context for this quotation 1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in (new ed.) II. 18 I..heard..The clear church-bells ring in the Christmas morn. 1850 Ld. Tennyson xxx. 48 We weave The holly round the Christmas hearth. View more context for this quotation 1937 G. B. Shaw 289 Passing Her Majesty's Theatre, I saw by the placards that a Christmas pantomime was going on inside. 1965 ‘P. Nichols’ (1967) iv. 19 There was the Christmas rush beginning. 2014 24 Dec. (Perth & Perthshire ed.) (TV & Radio Suppl.) 8/1 Chummy is asked to help out at a mother and baby home whose residents have little in the way of Christmas cheer. 1802 T. D. Fosbroke I. ii. 142 (note) Certain of these officers were allowed gloves and Christmas stockings. 1820 H. N. Bell 382 I tumbled you souse into the hole [in the ice] made for the cows to drink out of, and then gave you a penny, and my new pair of Christmas gloves, not to tell or cry! 1880 25 Dec. 7/2 He wound his Christmas scarf around this throat, pulled on his Christmas mittens, and buckled on his Christmas skates. 1943 20 Dec. 6/3 (advt.) It's time to shop for Christmas socks. 1995 15 Dec. 60/3 A fearsome collection of dodgy Christmas jumpers is on display as America's county and western stars assemble for a festive concert in Nashville. 2013 E. Laybourne viii. 81 Jean was wearing skinny jeans, high-heeled slippers, and one of those ladies' Christmas sweaters with the tall shoulders and the sparkly designs. society > communication > journalism > journal > parts and layout of journals > [noun] > part issued at Christmas 1828 29 Nov. 42/2 In the ‘Literary Journal’ for Saturday the 27th of December,—which may be considered as our Christmas Number,—our readers, we are sure, will share with us the satisfaction we have in announcing, that they will find articles, in prose and verse by..authors of eminence. 1915 10 Jan. 6/6 A copy of a most unique publication, the Christmas edition of the Radio News. 2006 19 Dec. 14/4 The cast and crew behind the Christmas special of Doctor Who looked the worse for wear at yesterday morning's advance screening. C2. 1882 27 Nov. 4 Christmas Beetles commenced their monotonous song on Tuesday, November 12. 1892 (U.S. Dept. Agric.) Aug. 388 A species of Anaplognathus, commonly called ‘Christmas Beetle’, was most numerous and is often plowed up both in the larva and imago state. 1950 D. Reed 147 The lights of Port Elizabeth sprang out, the Christmas beetle began to harp on its one shrill note, darkness came down, and still I sat. 2019 (Nexis) 25 Jan. 23 Given December 25 is now a month ago, can anyone explain this summer's absence of Christmas beetles? the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > gift at Christmas or New Year > at Christmas > book in which recorded society > communication > book > kind of book > book for specific occasion > [noun] > specific 1606 v. ii. sig. H2 Looke in my Christmas booke who brought me a present. 1769 A. B. Poyntz v. 20 I may truly say they are unintelligible, or, like the children's Christmas book of pastime, the Impenetrable Secret. 1875 J. Ruskin V. 77 As I was looking over Christmas Books of last year. 2018 (Nexis) 25 Nov. (Sunday Review) 36 Festive-season glitter and grimness mingle in this handsome Christmas book. the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > cake > [noun] > a cake > cake for specific occasion > Christmas 1533 T. More viii. p. cccccv What a ioye he maketh, as he were euyn made a kynge by the fyndynge of a bene in a chrystmas cake. 1771 J. Brown I. ii. iv. 177 The seventy-ninth [canon of the Quinisext Council] discharges the making or giving of Christmas cakes [Gk. σεμίδαλῖν], in representation of the Virgin's lying in of our Saviour. 1787 S. Hoole i. xxiv. 14 Together had they shared their Christmas cake, Their weekly stipend spent, and conned the self-same book. 1847 C. Brontë III. viii. 183 Beating of eggs, sorting of currants, grating of spices, compounding of Christmas cakes, chopping up of materials for mince-pies, and solemnizing of other culinary rites. 2005 S. Duncan xix. 274 In the afternoon she'd try to make a Christmas cake. the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > [noun] > used at specific times or in certain places > Christmas candle 1614 J. Cooke sig. L3v 'Tis the Latin word for a Christmas candle. 1703 Country Farmer's Catech. in (1870) I. 287 My daughter don't look with sickly pale looks, like an unlit Christmas Candle. 1846 C. Dickens 181 Little tapers, like what are called Christmas candles in England. 2004 M. Sullivan i. 22 On either side of the cabinet a gold Christmas candle lights up a window. society > faith > worship > church music > hymn > kinds of hymn > Christmas > [noun] society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > religious or devotional > [noun] > religious song > Christmas carol 1521 Thus endeth the Christmasse carolles, newely enprinted at London, in the fletestrete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde. 1616 P. Hay 220 A troup of..Choristers: who descending from the Temple of the celestiall Ierusalem, praised God and cheered vp man with a short Christmasse Caroll. 1725 H. Bourne xv. 141 It was usual for the Bishops of some Churches to sing among their Clergy, in the Episcopal House, which Song was undoubtedly a Christmas-Carol. 1894 8 Feb. 5/5 The child..had been taught the well-known Christmas carol entitled ‘The First Nowell’. 1965 Mrs. L. B. Johnson 20 Dec. (1970) 341 This evening we gave a State Dinner... We opened up all the stops and the Christmas carols rang forth. 2018 (Nexis) 20 Dec. c12 An opportunity to belt out traditional Christmas carols in harmony with singers young, old and in-between. 1853 9 Jan. 12/1 The beef..caught the eye of the defendant, who jumped at once to the conclusion that it must be that for which her husband had subscribed in a Christmas club. 1912 T. Holmes viii. 145 They had their bottles of cheap spirits, for which they had paid into the publican's Christmas club. 1974 28 Sept. w8 (advt.) If you have been a Christmas Club member before, you know how nice it is to receive that timely check. 2014 18 Dec. 34/5 Christmas clubs are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. c1817 O. Evans 4 Observing some blacksmith's boys in their sport making what they termed Christmas crackers, put water into the breech of a musket barrel, ram down a wad tight, stop the touch hole, and place the breech in the fire. 1847 25 Dec. 424 (heading) Christmas crackers. 1867 14 Dec. 375/1 A neat paper box, which, on being opened, displays an ordinary Christmas cracker, and that being exploded in the usual way, a full-sized article of apparel drops out. 1985 Dec. 88/2 Christmas crackers containing paper hats, fortunes, and toys adorned the tables. 2018 (Nexis) 22 Dec. 17 Showbiz haunt The Ivy has banned guests from wearing paper hats out of Christmas crackers. society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Christmas > [noun] OE On Length of Shadow (Tiber.) in T. O. Cockayne (1866) III. 218 On viii kalend Ianuarii þæt byð on cristesmæssedæg byð seo sceadu to underne..seofon & twentigoþan healfes fotes. a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 66 Þat oþer ioie of þat may wes o Cristesmasse day, when God wes bore. a1425 J. Wyclif (1871) II. 236 (heading) Pistle on Cristemasse day. 1569 R. Grafton II. 470 King Henry..did in the honour of Christes birth on Christmas day refreshe all the pore people with victuall. a1684 J. Evelyn anno 1655 (1955) III. 164 There was no more notice taken of Christmas day in Churches. 1873 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ II. x. 223 Christmas Day was all that Christmas Day ought to be—clear, crisp, bright. 1947 C. S. Churchill Let. 26 Dec. in W. S. Churchill & C. S. Churchill (1999) xxiv. 548 We spent a happy & peaceful Christmas Day & we drank your health & Sarah's before we fell to on the fat turkey. 2014 14 Jan. 13/6 I had nothing in the house for Christmas Day and everywhere was closed. society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [noun] > festivities associated with Christmas > articles associated with 1818 25 Dec. [They] were committed for cutting down..holly-hedge..to sell for Christmas decorations. 1920 M. Moore Let. 16 Jan. in (1997) 127 Where did the white ribbon come from?.. I thought it probably was part of a Christmas decoration. 2018 (Nexis) 1 Dec. 21 Today I will be..rummaging around among the tinsel, and putting up the Christmas decorations. the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > main meal or dinner the world > food and drink > food > meal > feast > [noun] > Christmas feast 1581 W. Lambarde xix. 179 If many be at an Alehouse, a Christmasse dinner, or Churchale, &..they sodainly fall togither by ye eares,..yet this is no Riot, vnles they betake themselues to parts. 1697 W. Dampier ix. 259 We..sent in 3 Canoas with the Strikers to get Fish; being desirous to have a Christmas dinner. 1864 R. Chambers II. 755/2 In old times, plum-pottage was always served with the first course of a Christmas-dinner. 1916 21 Jan. 129/2 It has been a custom to provide Christmas dinners to be sent out to those who are..in need of a Christmas dinner for their family. 2013 A. Gibbons iv. 49 Why don't I cook a proper Christmas dinner this year, turkey and all the trimmings? society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Christmas Eve > [noun] 1548 f. clxxxijv The Duke..came to his Castle of Sandall, beside Wakefelde, on Christmas eue. 1615 T. Overbury et al. (6th impr.) sig. M7v The wakefull ketches on Christmas Eue. 1755 T. Smollett tr. M. de Cervantes I. ii. iv. 61 He made carols for Christmas-eve, and plays for the Lord's-day. 1850 Ld. Tennyson xxx. 48 Sadly fell our Christmas-eve . View more context for this quotation 1947 21 Jan. 7/1 A man's objection to his wife being kissed under the mistletoe on Christmas Eve in a public house bar..ended in a fight among the customers. 2014 24 Dec. (Perth & Perthshire ed.) 33/3 You may have to spend some of your Christmas Eve tying up loose ends at work. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 734 Þus..Bi contray cayreȝ þis knyȝt tyl kryst-masse euen. 1580 J. Stow 714 Henrie Bowfort Duke of Somerset..yeelded Bambrugh on Christmas euen. 1676 W. Geaves 152 Nicholas Orem made a Sermon before the Pope and his Cardinals on Christmas-even, in which he rebuketh the Prelates and Priests of his time. 1861 J. Sylvester ii. 77 The ‘Gloria in Excelsis’ is sung in Roman Catholic chapels..at midnight on Christmas Even. 2017 29 Dec. 1/3 (caption) Inside on Christmas Even at many area churches, candle lighting concluded the evening services. the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > gift at Christmas or New Year > at Christmas society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [noun] > festivities associated with Christmas > articles associated with 1751 in (1764) 5 (table) Jan. 18. By the Messengers Christmas Gift—2[l] 18[s] 6[d]. 1857 33 85/1 When nurse..said the sun was smiling Christmas in at my window, I..jumped right up, and..ran to say Christmas gift to you. 1862 Nov. 61 You, father, brothers, and sisters, are after all the best Christmas gifts; how wicked I have been to be so discontented. 1890 W. D. Howells 112 The first thing when you woke you tried to catch everybody, and you caught a person if you said ‘Christmas Gift!’ before he or she did; and then the person you caught had to give you a present. Nobody ever said ‘Merry Christmas!’ as people do now. 2014 2 Dec. 70/4 Cockpit Arts Christmas Open Studios. A great chance to..pick up unique Christmas gifts that you won't find on the high street. 1838 8 Dec. The dozen Christmas hampers as usual, containing two bottles of old Port, two of Sherry, four of Gin, two of Rum, one of French Brandy, with one of Whisky, sent to any market-town, free of carriage, for one guinea and a half. 1964 J. Fleming ii. 26 The Christmas Hamper..included..Elvas plums, Turkish Delight,..Cape gooseberries, and Langues de Chat. 2018 (Nexis) 1 Dec. 23 Whether you're planning a feast for guests (or perhaps just for two), or looking for the ideal gift, a Christmas hamper rarely disappoints. 1632 W. Lithgow x. 501 The best, and most bountiful Christmasse-keepers..that euer I saw in the Christian World. 1852 25 Dec. The early issue of this No. will give liberty to Christmas keepers, and an earlier pleasure to message readers. 1931 12 Dec. 634/1 The heartiest and most childlike of Christmas keepers. 2014 T. Moore 8 Today, for a large percentage of global Christmas-keepers, the communal worship of Christ at Christmas does not figure in the picture. society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > persons and characters > [noun] > presiding > at Christmas festivities 1537 T. Dorset 13 Mar. (Cleo. E.iv/1) f. 131v He saide in his sermone that god hathe brought the truthe of his worde to light and princis be the ministeris of it to gyue comaundement that it shold goo forward and yet is no thynge regarded and make of hym' but a Cristmas kyng. 1939 6 89 The winter festivities were, as usual, built up around the age-long institution of the mock-king, Christmas-king, or Twelfth-Night-king. 2001 in C. Humphrey (rear cover) Those festive occasions on which a temporary and dynamic upside-down world of boy-bishops and Christmas kings was created. society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [noun] > festivities associated with Christmas > articles associated with the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > fairy lights 1597 N. Breton sig. C3v Uirgine wax is for Christmas lights, which is not solde by euery Chandler. 1826 tr. E. T. Hoffman i. 3 The chamber door was flung open, and in rushed Peregrine, amidst a whole fire-flood of variegated Christmas lights. 1903 15 Dec. 4/6 (advt.) Christmas Compliments and Christmas Lights are alike obtainable here... We can supply all kinds of..lights, chandeliers, and the wiring thereof. 1930 8 Dec. 24/2 (caption) Lure of the Christmas Lights.—A daily Mail flash-light photograph taken in Oxford-street last night. 2000 A. Maupin (2001) xxi. 255 The Gordian tangle of Christmas lights he kept stored in the attic. 2017 (Nexis) 5 Dec. 38 NSPCC is partnering with communities all over the UK on the switching on of their Christmas lights. society > occupation and work > materials > fuel > wood as fuel > [noun] > log > burnt at Christmas 1613 J. Boys 63 It is the fashion of many men..to boast of their rich attire, great attendance, good fire, large cheere: yet (seeing Christ is heire of all things in the world) they cannot in their owne right enioy so much as a Christmas log..till they be first ingraffed in him. 1885 July 49 What is now the Christmas log once kept up the fire all night during the sun's longest absence, in the winter solstice. 1925 20 Dec. 19/1 These recipes will make your Christmas dinner this year novel and delectable. The French buche de Noel or Christmas log, looks for all the world as though it had just been cut from a tree. 2012 (Nexis) 15 Dec. (Sat. Review section) For children who don't like Christmas pudding there's a chocolate-rich Christmas log. 2012 (Nexis) 24 Dec. A farmer who's a friend of mine..says you've got to pick out the Christmas logs for Christmas day. society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > persons and characters > [noun] > presiding > at Christmas festivities 1555 J. Ponet p. x In playnge the Christmas lords minion in new colledge in Oxford, in thy fooles coat that thow diddest learne thy boldnes, and lost thy witt. 1692 A. Wood II. 153 In Mert[on] Coll[ege]..the Fellows annually elected, about S. Edmunds day in November, a Christmas Lord, or Lord of misrule. 1905 W. C. Hazlitt (rev. ed.) I. 123/1 We learn that no Christmas Lord had been created since 1577. 1973 3 Feb. 51/2 The phenomenal sales enjoyed in the U.K. by the Osmonds, which included a Christmas number one with Jimmy Osmond's ‘Long Haired Lover’. 2016 M. Johnes v. 156 [Cliff] Richard's success caused a degree of resentment among younger people who had felt that the Christmas number one was something to care about. the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > pastry > pie > [noun] > Christmas mince-pie 1565 J. Calfhill f. 70 Is not this a reason, that might haue bene fette out of a Christmas pye? 1661 Relig. Hypocritical Presbyterians in J. Brand (1877) I. 294 Three Christmass or Minc'd Pies. 1747 H. Glasse viii. 73 A Yorkshire Christmas-Pye. 1837 C. Dickens xxviii. 290 ‘No, I ain't, Sir,’ replied the fat boy, starting up from a remote corner, where..he had been devouring a Christmas pie. 2018 (Nexis) 16 Dec. 32 I can put my feet up come Christmas afternoon, sink my teeth into a Christmas pie, wash it down with a well-earned sherry and finally hear the words: ‘Thanks for everything, mum.’ society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > persons and characters > [noun] > presiding > at Christmas festivities 1598 E. Guilpin iii. sig. C8v A player to a Christmas prince. 1692 A. Wood II. 153 The Christmas Prince of St. Joh[n's] Coll. [Oxford] whom the Juniors have annually..elected from the first foundation of the College. 1839 XIV. 151/1 This Lord of Misrule, or revel-master, was sometimes termed a Christmas prince. 1992 (Nexis) 24 Dec. 27 A Lord of Misrule or a Christmas Prince presiding over festivities. the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > puddings > [noun] > plum pudding society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [noun] > festivities associated with Christmas > articles associated with c1650 H. Norwood Voy. Virginia in (1732) (modernized text) VI. 153/1 Allowing some privilege to the captain's mess, we met no obstruction, but did peaceably enjoy our Christmas pudding. 1775 25 Picking and castrating our hops, one by one, as a good housewife does plumbs for her Christmas puddings. 1858 A. Trollope II. vii. 127 What did Mr. Oriel think when doomed to eat his Christmas pudding alone? 1915 ‘F. Anstey’ 121 To be home in time to stir our Christmas pudding. 2008 U. McGovern (2009) 147 Candied peel is now most commonly used as an ingredient in fruit cake and Christmas puddings. the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > gift at Christmas or New Year > at Christmas society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [noun] > festivities associated with Christmas > articles associated with 1663 S. Pepys 23 Feb. (1971) IV. 57 I was told that my Lady Castlemaine had all the King's Christmas presents made him by the Peeres given to her. 1788 20 Dec. The Friends of Mr. Tierney at Colchester, have sent him as a Christmas present, a small Barrel of Oysters—that will not open. 1849 ‘Cousin Alice’ vii. 135 Their arrival was such an agreeable surprise! Mrs. Morton said it was the best Christmas present she could have had. 1915 W. S. Maugham xx. 79 She had once given Philip a paint-box as a Christmas present. 2003 S. Brown 14 They don't believe in Santa Claus but..they continue to write letters to him in the hope that their adoring parents will buy them more Christmas presents than they ordinarily would. society > trade and finance > buying > [noun] > shopping > shopping at specific time 1857 19 Dec. 8/5 Christmas ‘shopping’... All our tradesmen..show by the displays in their shops..that they are fully alive to ‘the season’. 1932 R. Lehmann i. viii. 87 I always think with Christmas shopping it's best to get it done in good time. 2018 (Nexis) 24 Dec. I'm literally doing my last minute Christmas shopping... I'm getting gifts for the kids. 1827 26 Dec. This Christmas spirit should methinks be more particularly kept up in the country. 1941 R. Riskin Meet John Doe in (1997) 630 Now, why can't that spirit, that same warm Christmas spirit last the whole year round? 2006 (Nexis) 22 Nov. a18 The holidays are a time to relax, and after a hard day's shopping, what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with a festive film? 1853 19 Nov. 1376/1 (advt.) James Nisbet & Co.'s list of new works and new editions... The Christmas Stocking (In December). 1923 14 Apr. 47/1 Jimmie wanted a banjo. Nothing else would make his Christmas stocking complete. 2018 (Nexis) 24 Dec. 32 Most of us get through the entire Christmas period eating no more fruit than the satsuma in the Christmas stocking. society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Christmas > [noun] 1590 J. Thorius Spanish Dictionarie in tr. A. del Corro sig. A4v/2 Nauidad, Christmasse tide. 1676 J. Sterpin tr. L. J. Debes 47 John Jonason saw about Christmas Tide in Stormy weather, a great Ship come into that Stream. 1867 G. MacDonald II. i. 2 After this Christmas-tide, I found myself in closer relationship to my parishioners. 2007 21 Dec. 17/4 Pentecost and Candlemas..belong to the end of Eastertide and Christmastide respectively. society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Christmas > [noun] 1617 W. Fennor iv. 27 It is this that makes Newmarket heath, and Royston-dounes about Christmas time so full of high-way men that poore Countrie people cannot passe quietly to their Cottages. 1784 Characters 11/1 In Christmas time, all quarters of Naples resound with Pastorali or Siciliane, a kind of simple rural music, executed by..shepherds, upon a species of bag-pipes. 1837 C. Dickens xxviii. 283 How many dormant sympathies, does Christmas time awaken! 2015 (National ed.) 14 Sept. a15/1 One of the most-Googled gifts in Los Angeles around Christmastime last year. C3. In the names of plants which typically flower in winter (in the northern hemisphere, summer in the southern hemisphere) or which are used for decoration at Christmas. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > cultivated or ornamental trees and shrubs > [noun] > hedge plants the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > cultivated or ornamental trees and shrubs > [noun] > other ornamental trees or shrubs 1750 G. Hughes viii. 205 (heading) The Christmas-Bush. This Plant grows to about three Feet high. Its Roots are many, but weak, always blooming in December. 1817 A. Cunningham in I. Marriott 8 Mar. (1925) 171 Gathered seeds of Ceratopetalum gummiferum (Christmas Bush). 1883 O. A. Reade 23 C[assia] bicapsularis (Christmas bush). 1911 18 82 ‘Christmas bush’..attracts lots of insects of all orders and is very common near roads all over the island... In the second letter Prof. Urich informed me that the ‘Christmas bush’ is the composite Eupatorium odoratum. 1949 J. E. C. McFarlane ii. 72 And the Christmas-bush a-swinging, Its dainty bells a-ringing. 2018 (Nexis) 22 Dec. (Lifestyle section) 17 Known as a butterfly attracting plant, and for its value in floristry, South Australia's Christmas bush is white flowering Bursaria spinosa. the world > plants > particular plants > cactus and allies > [noun] > other cacti 1880 Feb. 53/2 Is there a white Cactus that will bloom in winter? I have a pink Cactus now in bloom, called by some Lobster-claw Cactus; by others, Christmas Cactus. I would like a white one, if such exists. 1923 N. C. Britton & J. N. Rose IV. 178 This species has been cultivated widely for many years under various names. It was introduced into cultivation in 1818 and..has since been a great favorite as a household plant, blooming freely about the end of the year, hence the name Christmas cactus. 1950 F. Klees xxix. 398 Then as now a Christmas cactus summered in a shady spot; and in the morning sunlight stood a tub of lilies. 2019 @KarenSpilka 17 May in twitter.com (accessed 25 July 2019) I know it's been colder than usual, but my Christmas Cactus is very confused about what month this is. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > composite flowers > other composite flowers 1829 J. C. Loudon 708 Aster... A very numerous genus of plants, commonly called in England, Christmas Daisies. 1908 Jan. 26/3 The average gardener finds the Christmas Daisy—Aster grandiflorus—a disappointing plant indeed,..on account of its very late-flowering season. 1991 8 Dec. 12 c/1 A variety of aster is sometimes called the Christmas Daisy because it blooms so late in the year. the world > plants > particular plants > ferns > [noun] > other ferns 1873 J. Robinson No. 3738 Aspidium acrostichoides... Christmas fern. 1966 19 Nov. 11/6 The Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, evergreen, hence its common name, is another lovely species. 2000 B. Kingsolver i. 25 She heard the small, sudden spatter hitting the leaves of the mayapples and Christmas fern. 1629 J. Parkinson lxxxi. 344 The true blacke Hellebor, or Christmas flower. 1656 W. Coles xi. 33 The Winter Wolfsbane is called Christmas flower, because it puts forth its blossomes about that time, and so doth the true black Hellebore. 1800 ii. iii. 30 I had, almost, forgotten the hellebore, Christmas flower, which reminds me, even in the midst of summer, of a Christmas-box. 1876 May 138/1 Poinsettia... Not only in England is this beautiful plant regarded as a Christmas flower; in the North of Mexico..it is called Nochebuena from its blossoming about the time of the Christmas festival. 1920 26 8 Winter aconite is a translation of Eranthis hyemalis. This plant, blooming early in the year, has also received the name of Christmas flower. 1967 30 Sept. 62 (advt.) The RNID's Christmas card this year features an exquisite full colour bouquet of Christmas flowers. 2001 P. D. Scace 66 Common Name [for Euphorbia pulcherrima]: Poinsettia, Christmas Flower. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > buttercup and allied flowers > Christmas rose or Lenten rose 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens iii. xxvi. 351 It is called in Brabant Heylichkerstcruyt, that is to say, the herbe of Christ or Christmas herbe, bycause it flowreth most commonly about Christmas, especially whan the winter is milde. 1652 N. Culpeper 126 Black-Hellebore. It is called also Setter-wort, Setter-grass, Bears-foot, Christmas Herb, and Christmas Flower. 2007 (Nexis) 9 Dec. (3 Star ed.) 42 The Christmas Rose, Christmas Herb and Christmas Flower are different names for the same plant—Hellebore niger. the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Acanthaceae (acanthus) > [noun] 1756 P. Browne ii. ii. 267 Ruellia... Christmas Pride. This plant is very common about Spanish Town..; where it generally blows in the months of December and January. 1997 June 69/2 Though [Ruellia macrantha is] often called Christmas pride, it is also commonly referred to as the Brazilian torch. Certainly it is a shrub to light up your garden—and your heart, especially when listening to weather reports from Fargo, North Dakota! the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > buttercup and allied flowers > Christmas rose or Lenten rose 1665 J. Rea i. xxvii. 143 We will begin with the black Hellebor, vulgarly called the Christmas Rose, but more properly Helleborus niger verus. 1891 60 The Christmas Rose is in flower during December and January. To have the blossoms pure white for Christmas decoration, the plants should be protected at the time of flowering. 1920 A. D. Sedgwick 2 She reflected that the Christmas roses were rather like herself. She, too, in this wintry season of her life, was still determined and indomitable. 2001 Nov. 7/2 Also starting to flower soon is Helleborus niger, better known as the Christmas Rose; an excellent perennial for a shaded, moist part of your garden. the world > plants > particular plants > ferns > [noun] > other ferns 1878 J. Williamson Pl. 36 (preceding p. 99) Aspidium acrostichoides..Christmas Shield-Fern. 1936 3 16 The common woodland fern known as the Christmas Shield-fern, is not considered in this paper as its botanical characteristics place it in another genus, its botanical name being Polystichum acrostichoides. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2022). Christmasn.2 Origin: From a proper name. Etymon: proper name Christmas Etymology: < the name of Stephen Christmas (1947–93), British-born Canadian photographer, who was the first person in whom the disorder was definitively identified. Medicine. the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > discharge or flux > [noun] > bleeding or flow of blood > bleeding disease 1952 R. Biggs et al. in 27 Dec. 1378/1 If this definition of haemophilia is accepted then the seven cases recorded in this paper are..a newly recognized condition which we propose to call ‘Christmas disease’, after the name of the first patient examined in detail. 1984 M. J. Taussig (ed. 2) v. 640 Deficiencies of other clotting factors are known, such as Christmas disease (lack of factor IX). 2014 5 May b2/5 I have a blood disorder, Christmas disease (factor 9 deficiency), which makes an operation more difficult. 1952 R. Biggs et al. in 27 Dec. 1380/1 As these results clearly show that the substance lacking from these cases is very different from the antihaemophilic globulin, it is called the Christmas factor. 1965 E. W. Davie & O. D. Ratnoff in H. Neurath (ed. 2) III. xvi. 386 The activation of Christmas factor is blocked by a number of inhibitors. 2016 68 39 The human factor IX (hFIX or Christmas factor) is a vitamin K-dependent..plasma serine protease that plays a central role in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022). Christmasv.Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: Christmas n.1 Etymology: < Christmas n.1 1594 G. Chapman sig. Biv Where loues are Christmast, with all pleasures sorts. society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [verb (intransitive)] > Christmas festivities society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Christmas > observe Christmas [verb (intransitive)] 1801 23 Jan. The prisoner was there Christmassing with a large party. 1884 16 Feb. 5/3 Two policemen who had too obviously been ‘Christmassing.’ 1967 ‘A. Burgess’ in 20 99 I Christmassed in the country. 2006 22 July 70/3 John..has Christmased in Italy for many years. society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [verb (transitive)] > adorn with Christmas decorations 1851 H. Mayhew I. 141/1 Properly to Christmas St. Paul's,..would take 50l. worth at least. 1966 J. Goldman i. ii. 17 Eleanor. (Moving to the holly boughs.) Come on; let's finish Christmassing the place. 2016 (Nexis) 24 Dec. h5 Hembruff starts Christmasing her home in late November. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < |
