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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Holiday

Hōl'i-dāy, n.

noun

n. [holy and day.]

Sense 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.]

Sense 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.

Hōl'i-dāy, a.

adjective

a. Pertaining to a festival; gay.

Hŏ'ly-dāy, n.

noun

n. 1. A religious festival.

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

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