Holiday

n. [holy and day.]

1Sense 1. A consecrated day; a religious anniversary; a day set apart in honor of some person, or in commemoration of some event. See HOLYDAY. [Rare.]

2Sense 2. A day of exemption from labor; a day of amusement, joy, and gayety.

*And young and old come forth to play On a sunshine holiday. Milton.*

The holidays, any fixed or usual period for relaxation or festivity; especially, Christmas and New Year's, with the intervening time.

n. 1. A religious festival.

2Sense 2. A festival of any kind; a holiday. [Rare.]

☞ In the latter sense, holiday is the preferable spelling.