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Michaelmas

Michaelmas

9.9
A Christian festival on September 29 that honours the angel Michael and marks a traditional day when rents were due
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪkəlməs/
  • UK
translation icon : Micael
  • Rents for agricultural land in England were traditionally due at Michaelmas.

Examples

  • During Michaelmas, churches often dedicate special services to the archangel Michael.

  • Every year, the college holds a Michaelmas feast to mark the beginning of the academic term.

  • Many churches celebrate Michaelmas with special services.

  • On Michaelmas, we remember the archangel Michael.

  • Every year, the college holds a Michaelmas feast to mark the beginning of the academic term.

  • During Michaelmas, churches often dedicate special services to the archangel Michael.

  • Rents for agricultural land in England were traditionally due at Michaelmas.

Synonyms

Michaelmas Day
vsMichaelmas
  • UK
8.9

A church feast day on September 29th celebrating the angel Michael

is the shorter traditional name for the same feast and quarter day
September 29
vsMichaelmas
  • UK
3.8

A church feast day in England, Wales, and Ireland celebrating the angel Michael and marking a traditional quarter day

is the named festival term rather than the plain date expression

Compounds

A church feast day on September 29th celebrating the angel Michael

A garden plant with small purple, pink, or white flowers that bloom in autumn

Surface Forms

Michaelmas singular
Michaelmases plural

Morphology

Michaelmas = Michael + mass (semi-transparent) = Michael + mas

Formally a compound 'Michael' + '-mas' (mass), so the basic meaning 'Mass for Michael' is recoverable, but the specific festival/quarter-day sense and the morpheme '-mas' may be unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Michaelmas comes from the name Michael and mass meaning 'church service'. It began as the 'Mass of Michael' on September 29 to honour the angel Michael, and because that day was also a traditional time to pay rents, Michaelmas now means both the festival and the quarter day when payments were due.