Category:Wassail

Was"sail, n. Etym: [as. wes hal (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 wæs heil, that is, literally, health be to you. N. Drake.

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." Sir w. Scott. The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, keeps wassail. Shak. The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail. Prescott.

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. Old song.

4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [obs.] Have you done your wassail! 't is a handsome, drowsy ditty, i'll Assure you. Beau. & fl.

Wassail Was"sail, a.

Defn: of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as, a Wassail bowl. "awassail candle, my lord, all tallow." Shak. Wassail Bowl, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the table. "spiced wassail bowl." J. Fletcher. "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." W. Irving. -- wassail cup, a cup from which wassail was drunk.

Wassail Was"sail, v. i.

Defn: to hold a wassail; to carouse. Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in dancing, Caroling, and wassailing. Sir p. Sidney.