December 25 - December 31, 2006

Wassail

noun

1 a festive occasion, esp. during the Christmas season. 2 a usu. alcoholic drink consumed on such an occasion, e.g. mulled wine
v. intr. 1 make merry; celebrate with drinking etc. 2 go from house to house at Christmastime singing carols and songs wassailer n.

[Middle English waes haeil etc. from Old Norse ves heill, corresponding to Old English wes hal 'be in health', a form of salutation] 

Source: The Canadian Oxford Dictionary

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