Jū'bi-lee, n.

n. [Fr. jubilé, Pr. jubileu, Sp. & Pg. jubileo, It. giubbileo, Lat. jubilæus, Gr. ἰωβηλαῖος, from Heb. yōbēl, the blast of a trumpet, and the grand sabbatical year, which was announced by sound of trumpet.

1. (Jewish Hist.) Every fiftieth year, being the year following the revolution of seven weeks of years, at which time all the slaves were liberated, and all lands which had been alienated during the whole period reverted to their former owners.
2. (Rom. Cath. Church.) A church solemnity or ceremony celebrated at Rome, at stated intervals, originally of one hundred years, but latterly of twenty-five; a plenary and extraordinary indulgence granted by the sovereign pontiff to the universal church, or at least to all those who then visit the churches of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome. Berzier.
3. A season of great public festivity and joy. “The town was all a jubilee of feasts.” Dryden.
4. Joyfulness; festivity; exultation.

Was it for Peveril, in the jubilee of his spirits, to consider how his wife was to find beef and mutton to feast his neighbors? W. Scott.