Childermas etymology

Etymology

• Middle English: Childermasse, from Old English: cildra mæsse
• Old English: cildra ("children") + mæsse ("mass")

Meaning

• The Christian festival commemorating the Holy Innocents, the children killed by King Herod after the birth of Jesus (observed on December 28)

Origin

Childermas is a Christian festival that originated in the Middle Ages. It is believed to have been first observed in the 4th century, and it is still celebrated by some Christian denominations today.

The name Childermas comes from the Old English words "cildra" (meaning "children") and "mæsse" (meaning "mass"). The festival is named after the Holy Innocents, the children who were killed by King Herod after the birth of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod ordered the killing of all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas.

Childermas is observed on December 28. On this day, Christians remember the Holy Innocents and pray for the protection of children. The festival is also known as the Feast of the Holy Innocents or the Day of the Holy Innocents.

In some cultures, Childermas is celebrated with special services in churches and homes. In some countries, children are given gifts or sweets on Childermas.

Childermas relate terms

• child

  Etymology The word child is derived from the Old English word cild which is itself

• bairn

  Etymology Middle English barne Old English bearn Proto Germanic barnaz Proto Indo E

• Childermas

  Etymology Middle English Childermasse from Old English cildra mæsse Old English cil

• mass

  Etymology The word mass has origins in multiple languages Latin missa meaning d

• mission

  Etymology Mission is derived from the Latin word mittere meaning to send or to dispa

• acolyte

  Etymology From Middle English acolite from Old French acolit from Ecclesiastical Lati

• rack

  Etymology Middle English rake from Old English racu meaning heap pile ridge Prot

• device

  Etymology The word device comes from the Old French word deviser meaning to divide

• blight

  Etymology Middle English blīte from Old English blīht joyful cheerful gracious

• connotation

  Etymology From Late Latin connotatio from Latin connotare meaning to note together

• prophet

  Etymology Ancient Greek προφήτης prophētēs Latin propheta Meaning A

• reflection

  Etymology The word reflection is derived from the Latin word reflectiō which means

• forgive

  Etymology The word forgive originates from the Old English word forgifan which mean

• participle

  Etymology Latin participle noun French participe noun English participle noun

• compass

  Etymology Old French compas Latin compassus stride Vulgar Latin compassare to