/hol"i day'/ , n.
1. a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.
2. any day of exemption from work (distinguished from working day ).
3. a time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment, etc.: New businesses may be granted a one-year tax holiday.
4. a religious feast day; holy day, esp. any of several usually commemorative holy days observed in Judaism.
5. Sometimes, holidays . Chiefly Brit. a period of cessation from work or one of recreation; vacation.
6. an unintentional gap left on a plated, coated, or painted surface.
adj.
7. of or pertaining to a festival; festive; joyous: a holiday mood.
8. suitable for a holiday: holiday attire.
v.i.
9. Chiefly Brit. to vacation: to holiday at the seaside.
[ bef. 950; ME; OE haligdaeg. See HOLY, DAY ]
Syn. 2. vacation, break.