Definition

Proper noun 1. A Christian feast day: Whitsunday is the seventh Sunday after Easter, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles (an event also known as Pentecost). 2. A Scottish quarter day: In Scotland, Whitsunday is one of the four traditional quarter days used for legal and administrative purposes, such as the settling of rents and the beginning and end of employment contracts.

Usage Examples

• As a Christian feast day:
  • The church was beautifully decorated for Whitsunday.
  • Whitsunday commemorates the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• As a Scottish term:
  • The rent is due at Whitsunday.
  • His tenancy agreement begins on Whitsunday.

Advanced Usage

• "Whitsunday term": In historical Scottish legal and academic contexts, this refers to a period or session beginning around the time of the Whitsunday quarter day.
  • The old university calendar included a Whitsunday term.

Variants and Related Words

• Pentecost: A synonym for Whitsunday in its religious sense, more commonly used in many Christian traditions outside of Scotland and England.
• Whitsuntide: The period or season around Whitsunday.
  • The village fete is always held during Whitsuntide.

Synonyms

• Pentecost (for the religious meaning)

Related Terms and Phrases

• Quarter day: Whitsunday is one of the four Scottish quarter days; the others are Candlemas (2 February), Lammas (1 August), and Martinmas (11 November).
• Whit Monday: The day after Whitsunday, traditionally a public holiday in some countries.

Noun

1. seventh Sunday after Easter; commemorates the emanation of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles; a quarter day in Scotland