Etymologically
Log in

festivalis

History Permalink

Etymology and origin of the Latin word festivalis

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
before 1186, Robert of Torigni
Ultimate origin
Latin fēstīvus
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin festivus
Latin festivalis
From the same root
English festival ← festivalis

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [feːs.tiːˈwaː.lɪs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [fes.tiˈvaː.lis][1]

Forms

fēstīvālis (neuter fēstīvāle); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin fēstīvus (“festive, joyous”) + -ālis,[1] from fēstus (“festive”).[1][2] Etymonline derives it from fēstum (“feast, holiday”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Robert of Torigni uses it in his chronicle under the year 1181, of the festive ornament a church lacked on a feast day.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

It meant “of a feast day” and so “solemn, festive”.[4][5] British writers used it of festive joy and of festive dress, and especially of Church feast days and of the liturgy and vestments for them.[5] In German records the dēnāriī fēstīvālēs were dues paid from the offerings of a church.[4] Through Old French, and directly, it gave English festival.[3]

Timeline

  • before 1186 – Robert of Torigni uses it of a church's festive ornament.[4][2]
  • 1364 – A Durham record speaks of the day after the feast days.[5]
  • late 14th century – English has festival day, from which festival was shortened.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin) Of a feast day, festive, solemn.[4][5][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin, ecclesiastical) Of a Church holiday; used on feast days (of the liturgy or vestments).[5][3]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Paid from the offerings of a feast (of dues).[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  5. ^ a b c d e Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press

Descendants

Cite this entry

“Festivalis.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/festivalis. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·