saint nick
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Proper noun 1. A legendary figure associated with Christmas gift-giving: "Saint Nick" is a familiar name for Saint Nicholas, a folkloric figure traditionally said to bring gifts to well-behaved children on Christmas Eve. He is commonly depicted as a jolly, elderly man with a white beard, dressed in red.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- The children wrote their letters to Saint Nick, listing all the toys they hoped to receive.
- Every Christmas Eve, we leave cookies and milk out for Saint Nick.
- The story says that Saint Nick travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
Advanced Usage
- "Here comes Saint Nick!": A common exclamation upon seeing someone dressed as the character or when referring to his imminent arrival on Christmas.
- Look at the mall! Here comes Saint Nick!
Variants and Related Words
- Saint Nicholas (proper noun): The original name from which "Saint Nick" is derived, referring to a 4th-century Christian saint known for secret gift-giving.
- Santa Claus (proper noun): Another common name for the same figure, derived from the Dutch "Sinterklaas."
- Father Christmas (proper noun): The name commonly used in the United Kingdom for this figure.
- Kris Kringle (proper noun): Another name for the gift-bringer, used particularly in parts of the United States.
Synonyms
- Santa Claus
- Father Christmas
- Kris Kringle
Related Idioms
- "A visit from Saint Nick": A reference to the Christmas Eve tradition, often from the famous poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore.
- The children were excited, hoping for a visit from Saint Nick.
Noun
- the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas