festival English · revision 3887

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=14th century|origins=la festum}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfes.tɪ.vᵊl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|festival]],^(MWU 2024) first an adjective,^(NODE 1998) [[bor|fro|festival|t=suitable for a feast; solemn, joyful]] and directly [[der|la-med|festīvālis|t=of a church holiday]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|festīvus|t=festive]],^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|festum|t=festival, holiday]], plural festa, neuter of [[m|la|festus|t=of a feast]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) It is related to [[feast]], [[festive]] and [[fête]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The adjective, of or befitting a feast day: the 14th century in the OED and Merriam-Webster.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) ''Festival day'' is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun, a festal day appointed for celebration, is from the 1580s, a shortening of festival day;^(Etymonline) the OED's first example is from 1589.^(OED 1989) The adjective's sense “glad, joyful” (1592) is obsolete.^(OED 1989) A series of musical performances recurring at intervals is from 1857,^(OED 1989) and an American fair from 1869.^(OED 1989) Before the Reformation a ''festival'' was also a book of sermons for the feast days.^(OED 1989) The English word returned to French in the 19th century in certain specialised senses.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 14th century – adjective, of a feast day.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * late 14th century – ''festival day''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1491 – a book of sermons for feasts.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1589 – noun, a festal day.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1857 – a music festival.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A day or time of celebration, especially a recurring religious one.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A series of cultural events, such as concerts or films, held regularly: ''a film festival''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # [[revelry|alt=Revelry]]; merrymaking.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or suitable for a feast; [[festive]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[festivalgoer]]

+ * [[prefestival]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[festal]]

+ * [[festive]]

+ * [[festivity]]

+ * [[feast]]

+ * [[fête]]

+ * [[fiesta]]

+ * [[festoon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}