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charivari

charivari

1 9.9
A noisy playful celebration with pots and pans to tease a newly married couple
  • noun
  • /ˌʃærɪˈvɑri/
  • Archaic
: charivari
  • Le charivari

Examples

  • Lithograph, Le Charivari, Apr. 16, 1856

    Academic text (1997)
  • Satirical attention had already singled out the shawl in a caricature published in Le Charivari.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Photo (black & white): 7 Daumier, Saprelotte! 1857, lithograph, Le Charivari, Sept. 9, 1857

    Academic text (1997)
  • The neighbors held a charivari outside the newlyweds' house, banging pots and pans to celebrate their marriage.

  • When the couple returned from their honeymoon, the village organized a noisy charivari to welcome them home.

  • To express their disapproval, the townspeople performed a charivari by clanging kitchenware in the street.

Synonyms

belling
vscharivari
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A noisy, teasing greeting for newly married people that uses banging pans and kettles

is used to express disapproval or jokingly beyond wedding situations
shivaree
vscharivari
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A noisy celebration where people bang pots and pans for a newly married couple

is used more broadly to show disapproval or jokingly beyond weddings
callathump
vscharivari
  • Archaic
9.9

A noisy, lively parade where people bang pots and pans to celebrate

is often used to mock or shame individuals rather than celebrate
callithump
vscharivari
  • Archaic
9.9

A noisy parade with music, shouting, and people playing homemade instruments

is focused on public mockery or disapproval often aimed at newlyweds

Antonyms

501 1.0

A happy event such as a party that marks a special occasion or achievement

285 1.0

Clapping hands to show you like or approve something

Surface Forms

charivari singular
charivaris plural

Etymology

Charivari comes from French charivari, which meant a loud, mixed noise, like people banging pots and kettles. So a charivari today is a noisy, often playful 'serenade' or protest by neighbors to tease or warn newlyweds.