Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Michaelmastide

Michaelmastide

9.9
A time around the feast of St Michael on September 29 when people prepare for winter
  • noun
  • Archaic
: tiempo de Micael
  • In old England, Michaelmastide marked the time for hiring new servants and settling rents.

Examples

  • The harvest festival fell during Michaelmastide, bringing the whole village together in celebration.

  • During Michaelmastide, the days grew shorter and preparations for winter began.

  • The harvest festival was celebrated during Michaelmastide.

  • Many traditions stem from Michaelmastide celebrations.

  • During Michaelmastide, the days grew shorter and preparations for winter began.

  • In old England, Michaelmastide marked the time for hiring new servants and settling rents.

  • The harvest festival fell during Michaelmastide, bringing the whole village together in celebration.

Surface Forms

Michaelmastide singular
Michaelmastides plural

Morphology

Michaelmastide = Michaelmas + tide (opaque) = Michaelmas + tide

The combination of 'Michaelmas' and 'tide' is not transparent to learners unfamiliar with the historical and cultural context.

Etymology

Michaelmastide comes from Michaelmas, the feast of Saint Michael, and the old word tide meaning 'time' or 'season', as in Yuletide. So Michaelmastide is the season or period around Michaelmas (September 29).