HALLOWEEN Meaning and
Definition
-
Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the evening of October 31st, primarily in the United States and Canada. It is derived from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Halloween is characterized by various customs and traditions, often associated with the supernatural, including wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, carving jack-o'-lanterns, attending Halloween parties, and telling scary stories.
The practice of wearing costumes on Halloween is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic belief that dressing up in masks and disguises would ward off evil spirits. Trick-or-treating, where children go from house to house in their costumes and collect candy, is a popular Halloween tradition that brings together communities and fosters a sense of togetherness. Carving jack-o'-lanterns out of pumpkins has become a significant Halloween symbol, with these carved pumpkins traditionally featuring scary or humorous faces and lit with candles.
Halloween parties often include themed decorations, games, and activities, creating a spooky and festive atmosphere. In recent years, celebrating Halloween has extended beyond North America and has gained popularity in many other countries around the world. It has become a time for people of all ages to embrace their creativity, embrace the eerie and supernatural, and share in the excitement and fun of this unique and thrilling holiday.
-
In Scot., All Hallows' or All Saints' eve, 31st of October.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HALLOWEEN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HALLOWEEN
Etymology of HALLOWEEN
The word "Halloween" can be traced back to its Gaelic roots. It is a combination of two words: "All Hallows' Eve". "All Hallows" refers to the Christian feast of All Saints' Day, which is observed on November 1st. "Eve" simply means the night before.
The term "Halloween" started to be used in Scotland around the 16th century, and it gradually spread to other English-speaking areas. The celebration itself, however, has pagan roots and predates the introduction of Christianity. The Gaelic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, became intertwined with the Christian holiday over time. Eventually, the name "Halloween" came to be associated with the celebrations on the eve of All Saints' Day.
Similar spelling words for HALLOWEEN
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
