Wassail
Wassail , noun
[Anglo-Saxon wes hāl (or an equivalent form in another dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking a health. The form wes is imperative. See Was, and Whole.]
1.
An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine, exclaimed, Lord king waes heil, that is, literally, Health be to you.
2.
An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse.
In merry wassail he... peals his loud song.
The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail.
The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail.
3.
The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly much used in England at Christmas and other festivals, made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast, roasted apples, etc.; -- called also lamb's wool.
A jolly wassail bowl,
A wassail of good ale.
4.
A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obsolete]
Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll assure you.
Wassail , adjective
Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as, a wassail bowl.
Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow.
Collocations (2)
Wassail bowl , a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the table. Spiced wassail bowl. When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel... Its appearance was hailed with acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in Christmas festivity.
Wassail cup , a cup from which wassail was drunk.
Wassail , intransitive verb
To hold a wassail; to carouse.
Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in dancing, caroling, and wassailing.