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. Christmas-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. Christmassy adj.
[ OE Cristes msse (MASS(2)) ]