saturnalia

noun

sat·​ur·​na·​lia ˌsa-tər-ˈnāl-yə 

-ˈnā-lē-ə

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

capitalized : the festival of Saturn in ancient Rome beginning on December 17

2

singular, plural saturnalias also saturnalia

a

: an unrestrained often licentious celebration : orgy

b

: excess, extravagance

saturnalian

ˌsa-tər-ˈnāl-yən 

-ˈnā-lē-ən

adjective

saturnalianly adverb

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter plural of saturnalis of Saturn, from Saturnus

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for saturnalia

• marginalia
• terminalia
• azalea
• mammalia
• regalia
• vidalia
• paraphernalia
• thalia

Kids Definition

saturnalia

singular or plural noun

sat·​ur·​na·​lia ˌsat-ər-ˈnāl-yə 

1

capitalized : the festival of the god Saturn celebrated in ancient Rome with feasting and wild revelry

2

: a celebration involving wild behavior : orgy

saturnalian

-yən 

adjective