Beltane

[ bel-teyn, -tin ]

/ ˈbɛl teɪn, -tɪn /

noun

an ancient Celtic festival observed on May Day in Scotland and Ireland to mark the beginning of summer.

Origin of Beltane

1375–1425; late Middle English (Scots) < Scots Gaelic bealltainn, Old Irish bel(l)taine, perhaps equivalent to *bel- an obscure element, perhaps the name of a supernatural person + tene fire

Example sentences from the Web for beltane

The Beltane customs seem to have been the same as elsewhere.

Balder The Beautiful, Vol. I. |Sir James George Frazer
Its name is supposed to point to the time when Beltane rites were observed on its summit.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 5 |Various
The fuel was piled on a hill-top, and at the fire the beltane cake was cooked.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 5 |Various
One of the chief ritual acts at Beltane was the kindling of bonfires, often on hills.

The Religion of the Ancient Celts |J. A. MacCulloch

The folk-survivals of the Beltane and Midsummer festivals show that both were intended to promote fertility.

The Religion of the Ancient Celts |J. A. MacCulloch

British Dictionary definitions for beltane

Beltane

/ (ˈbɛlteɪn, -tən) /

noun

an ancient Celtic festival with a sacrificial bonfire on May Day. It is also celebrated by modern pagans

Word Origin for Beltane

C15: from Scottish Gaelic bealltainn

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

Beltane

noun

Origin of Beltane

Example sentences from the Web for beltane

British Dictionary definitions for beltane

noun

Word Origin for Beltane