Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A Christian feast day: Candlemas is a Christian holy day that commemorates the presentation of Jesus Christ at the Temple in Jerusalem, as described in the Gospel of Luke. It is observed on February 2nd.
   • A Scottish quarter day: In Scotland, Candlemas is also one of the four traditional quarter days of the year, which were dates marking 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 includes the blessing of candles.
  • In the liturgical calendar, Candlemas falls forty days after Christmas.
  • The rent was due at Candlemas, as stipulated in the old Scottish lease.

Advanced Usage

• "Candlemas Day": An alternative name for the feast day, emphasizing the date.
  • Candlemas Day is also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus.
• Historical/Legal Context: Referring to the day as a fixed term in contracts or historical records.
  • The servant's term of employment began at Candlemas and lasted for one year.

Variants and Related Words

• Presentation of the Lord: Another name for the same feast day in some Christian traditions.
• Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary: An older name for the feast, focusing on a different aspect of the biblical event.
• Quarter day: The general term for which Candlemas is an example in Scotland (the others being Whitsunday, Lammas, and Martinmas).

Synonyms

• Feast of the Presentation: A direct synonym for the religious observance.
• February 2nd: The calendar date on which the feast occurs.

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 weather lore proverb associated with the day, suggesting it is a predictor for the remainder of winter.

Noun

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