holiday

English

/ˈhɒlɪdeɪ/, /ˈhɑləˌdeɪ/

noun
Definitions
  • A day on which a festival, religious event, or national celebration is traditionally observed.
  • A day declared free from work by the state or government.
  • (chiefly) A period of one or more days taken off work for leisure and often travel; often plural.
  • (chiefly) A period during which pupils do not attend their school; often plural; rarely used for students at university (usually: vacation).
  • (finance) A period during which, by agreement, the usual payments are not made.
  • A gap in coverage, e.g. of paint on a surface, or sonar imagery.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English halyday inherited from Old English hāliġdæġ (Sabbath, holy day) com from English holy + English day.

Origin

English

day

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms