ˈkrɪsməs n. & int. --n. (pl. Christmases) 1 (also Christmas Day)
the annual festival of Christ's
birth, celebrated on 25 Dec. 2 the
season in
which this occurs; the
time immediately before and after 25 Dec. --int. sl. expressing
surprise,
dismay, etc. øChristmas-box a present or
gratuity given at Christmas
esp. to tradesmen and employees. Christmas
cake Brit. a
rich fruit cake usu. covered
with marzipan and
icing and eaten at Christmas. Christmas card a card
sent with greetings at Christmas. Christmas
Eve the
day or the
evening before Christmas Day. Christmas
pudding Brit. a rich boiled pudding eaten at Christmas,
made with
flour,
suet,
dried fruit, etc. Christmas rose a white-flowered winter-blooming
evergreen, Helleborus niger. Christmas
tree an evergreen (usu. spruce) or
artificial tree set up with decorations at Christmas. øøChristmassy adj. [OE Cristes mósse (MASS(2))]