n. (pl. same or saturnalias) 1 (usu. Saturnalia) Rom.Hist. the festival of Saturn in December, characterized by unrestrained merrymaking for all, the predecessor of Christmas. 2 (as sing. or pl.) a scene of wild revelry or tumult; an orgy. saturnalian adj.
[ L, neut. pl. of Saturnalis (as SATURN) ]