n. 1 a time or season of rejoicing. 2 an anniversary, esp. the 25th or 50th. 3 Jewish hist. a year of emancipation and restoration, kept every 50 years. 4 RC Ch. a period of remission from the penal consequences of sin, granted under certain conditions for a year usu. at intervals of 25 years. 5 exultant joy.
[ ME f. OF jubilé f. LL jubilaeus (annus) (year) of jubilee ult. f. Heb. yobel, orig. = ram, ram's-horn trumpet ]