Definition

Proper noun: - A Christian feast day: Candlemas Day is a Christian holiday that commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus Christ at the Temple in Jerusalem, as described in the Gospel of Luke. - A Scottish quarter day: In Scotland, Candlemas Day is also one of the four traditional quarter days of the year, which mark the divisions of the legal and financial year for purposes such as rent payments and hiring fairs.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The church service for Candlemas Day includes a blessing of candles.
  • In Scotland, the rent was traditionally due on Candlemas Day.

Advanced Usage

• "Candlemas": The word is often shortened to "Candlemas" in common usage.
  • The celebration of Candlemas falls on February 2nd.

Variants and Related Words

• Candlemas (n): The shortened, more common form of Candlemas Day.
• Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (n): Another, more formal name for the same religious observance.
• Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (n): An older, traditional name for the holiday, emphasizing a different aspect of the biblical event.
• Quarter day (n): A general term for any of the four days dividing the legal year; Candlemas Day is one of these in Scotland.

Synonyms

• Feast day: A day dedicated to a religious celebration.
• Holiday: A day of festivity or recreation, often one on which no work is done.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, / Winter will have another flight. / If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, / Winter is gone and will not come again.": A traditional English weather lore proverb associated with the day, suggesting it can be used to predict the length of winter.

Noun

1. feast day commemorating the presentation of Christ in the temple; a quarter day in Scotland