Dictionary

1wassail

noun was·sail \ˈwä-səl also wä-ˈsāl\

: a hot alcoholic drink that is traditionally served in a large bowl especially at Christmastime

Full Definition of WASSAIL

1
:  an early English toast to someone's health
2
:  a hot drink that is made with wine, beer, or cider, spices, sugar, and usually baked apples and is traditionally served in a large bowl especially at Christmastime
3
:  riotous drinking :  revelry
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Origin of WASSAIL

Middle English wæs hæil, washayl, from Old Norse ves heill be well, from ves (imperative singular of vera to be) + heill healthy — more at was, whole
First Known Use: 12th century

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner

2wassail

verb

Definition of WASSAIL

intransitive verb
1
:  to indulge in wassail :  carouse
2
dial English :  to sing carols from house to house at Christmas
transitive verb
:  to drink to the health or thriving of

First Known Use of WASSAIL

14th century

Related to WASSAIL

Synonyms
binge, birl [chiefly Scottish], revel, roister, carouse

Rhymes with WASSAIL

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