wassail

noun was·sail \ ˈwä-səl also wä-ˈsāl \

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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Examples of wassail in a Sentence

woke up with a terrible headache from a wild wassail the night before

Recent Examples of wassail from the Web

Diners may bring their own wine or enjoy the hot wassail that will be provided.

— joanne berger dumound/special to cleveland.com., cleveland.com, "Meals on Wheels clients receive extra help this season: Olmsted Dates and Data," 22 Dec. 2017
The historical society hosted its annual Victorian tea to show off the seasonal decor and to welcome patrons to enjoy hors oeuvres, desserts, traditional wassail and tea.

— linda g. kramer, cleveland.com, "Berea Historical Society welcomes Christmas with Victorian Tea: Community Voices," 10 Dec. 2017
Bayfield These annual wassail dinner concerts delight both the ears and taste buds.

— travel wisconsin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin’s Festive Feasts," 27 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wassail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

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First Known Use: 12th century

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